Departure in Despair

The next morning, I put on my face mask as usual and walked out of my room.

Remy was busy showing my parents the draft that she stole from me yesterday, her face the epitome of glee. "Dad! Mom! Look at this! This is the draft I've spent a long time working on! I'm good, aren't I?"

My dad took the draft from Remy and nodded in satisfaction. "As expected of my daughter. I don't really understand this, but I feel that you can definitely get a prize!"

My mom held Remy, putting their faces close together. Her smiling lips and shining eyes showed how pleased she was. "You're the best, Remy! Once the result is out, we'll take you out to celebrate, alright?"

"Really? That's great! Thanks, Mom! You're the best!" Remy threw her arms around my mom and kissed her.

Out of the four of them, only Blake remained silent as he looked at the draft my dad was holding. His eyes darkened, and it seemed like he was thinking about something.

I knew what was on his mind.

Before Remy returned, Blake would protect me with all his might. Regardless of the circumstances, he wouldn't allow me to get hurt—not even a little. His friends who saw this would call him a "knight templar big brother". Blake didn't find the moniker embarrassing; rather, he wore it like a badge of honor.

"So what if I'm a knight templar big brother? You don't get to be one even if you want to," he had retorted.

When my parents grew distant from me, I thought Blake would still love me like he did in the past. I was his cherished sister, wasn't I?

But when I showed him the draft I spent two nights working on, he simply sneered at me. He gave it a look, and scoffed, "Is this all you can do? Anything Remy can do is better than your draft. You want to win the competition? Try again next time!"

At this moment, I surveyed his reaction.

It was just as I had thought. He knew I was the creator of that draft, but he didn't reveal it and said nothing. He glanced at me, then started showering Remy with compliments.

"You're so good, Remy! If I compare this with the past winners, you'll definitely nab the top place. I'm proud to be your brother."

I lowered my gaze, hiding the loneliness in my eyes.

What were you hoping for, Fiona?

You're no longer Blake's beloved sister. He wouldn't tell your parents the truth and reveal Remy's rotten true personality. She's his beloved sister now. And you? You're just a wicked sister he despised for bullying and hurting Remy.

I sighed. My gaze swept over them briefly.

My parents were standing at Remy's either side, protecting her in the center. Blake was bending forward, as if all he cared about was Remy. None of them noticed me at all. They were so happy together, it made me look like a stranger.

They were the perfect family—I was the unnecessary one.

The bitterness in my heart threatened to spill out.

Remy, noticing this, grinned at me. "Say, Fiona, why don't you come and look at my draft? Isn't it pretty?"

She looked at me expectantly, thinking I was simply pretending to give the draft to her yesterday. She had purposely mentioned this in front of our parents so it would anger me into demanding it back.

Only one person knew the truth, but he simply allowed Remy to do whatever she wanted. Even if I argued with her, who would believe me? The moment I started a commotion, she would pretend to be hurt and use it against me.

Confident that she had fully understood my personality, Remy smugly waited for me to start a fight. Unfortunately, she was in for a disappointment.

I sighed. This was the first time I didn't start a fight with her.

"It's very pretty," I said.

When Remy didn't get the conclusion she wanted, she stared wide-eyed at me. "What did you say, Fiona?"

"I said," I repeated, "it's very pretty."