I Was the Grass Beneath Your Feet

I couldn't bring myself to speak kindly to someone so shameless.

Wendy froze for a moment, then quickly put on a pitiful, innocent act. "Esme, I was only joking. Please don't be mad."

My parents, Brett, and even Lance rushed over to comfort her.

Lance turned around to reprimand me. "It was just a joke. Aren't you worried about making her spiral again? You're too immature, Esme. I think I need to reconsider our engagement!"

"Whatever," I replied.

So now I was immature?

I gave this picture-perfect "family" a small smile. There was no reason to feel upset anymore.

I threw Lance a glance, then walked out the door without a care for the expression on his face.

My father suddenly called out, "Put on a mask. Don't let anyone recognize you."

I let out a bitter laugh, but I still did as he told me to.

I just had to hold on a little longer. In two more weeks, I would have a brand new life.

…

After leaving the house, I went directly to the construction site located next to a low-income neighborhood.

This was the most accepting part of the city. No one asked about my past, and I found a job doing odd tasks at a diner.

It didn't matter how much the pay was. At least it came with one meal a day, and I wouldn't go hungry.

After all, the Walkers never had a place for me at the table. Ever since Wendy showed up, the only thing they did was pay my school fees on time and nothing more.

Every time I came home, they would have already eaten as a "family". All I ever got was a "figure it out yourself".

That pushed me toward one illegal sweatshop after another. As long as I could eat, I didn't care about the pay—I just needed to survive.

Lance used to be the only person I could rely on.

He had protected me, pulled me away from home, and taken me out to eat. He was always gentle to me, and I relied on him. I had given him all my trust.

So, when he became seriously ill ten years ago, I didn't hesitate to donate a kidney to save him.

After that, my body got weaker every day. I couldn't even lift heavy things or exercise anymore. It hadn't mattered to me then, as long as I could save his life.

Everything ended when he sent me to prison himself. He helped my family frame me and forced me to give up my guaranteed spot in university.

Once Iris took me away, I wouldn't have to see him again.

No one would be able to hurt me anymore.

…

I continued going to work as usual until I saw the news on TV that Wendy and Lance had gotten engaged.

I had a hard time believing it despite everything.

Lance's family and the Walkers had known each other for generations. My engagement to him was, in fact, arranged by our grandfathers.

Lance and I had grown up together, and he knew my sufferings better than anyone else.

I once believed that Wendy could take everything from me, except him. But now…

…

When I got home that night, my mother spoke first.

"Esme, you're back. Come, let's sit down and talk about your sister's marriage," she said. "You owe Wendy anyway. Since Wendy likes Lance, she'll be the one to marry him.

"You don't have a problem with that, do you?"

Did they think Lance was some sort of toy that could be passed around?

I found this whole situation somewhat hilarious.

It all started with having to give up my room to Wendy.

Then, it was the puppy I rescued and the guaranteed admission spot—they all became Wendy's, even when she never appreciated any of it.