Take Back My Own Luck

I ripped the pendant from my neck and held it in my hand. Under the moonlight, the small white fish seemed almost alive, glowing with an unsettling red light. If I looked closely, I could see a thin red thread connecting it to me.

I dropped the pendant into a bowl of water. In my dream, I had seen Vanessa do the same after my death, trying to protect herself by severing the connection between us.

A surge of anger rose in me. How could she so easily take everything that was rightfully mine and live a life of comfort and joy?

Not only did she take my life, but she also spread lies about me after I was gone. This time, I was going to make sure she felt the pain of losing everything.

Tomorrow, she'd supposed to impress a professor, riding on the luck she stole from me. Even though she'd done nothing to deserve it, even though that opportunity should have been mine, one smile from her would make it hers.

But this time, I would take back what was mine.

The next day, I watched Vanessa, elegantly dressed, ready for the event.

She greeted me with her usual bright demeanor, but I knew better. Behind that cheerful exterior, she was calculating and ruthless, willing to destroy anyone for her own gain.

She had already ruined the lives of many girls, effortlessly taking what belonged to others and making it her own.

"Ella, are you going to that gala today? Can you take me along? I've never been to an event like that."

Before I could answer, Margaret appeared, showering Vanessa with compliments.

"Vanessa, you look absolutely stunning today! That's my favorite girl."

Then she turned to me with her usual look of disapproval.

"And you, what are you wearing? You're an embarrassment to this family."

I glanced at Vanessa's designer dress, then down at my own plain suit. Maybe she was right.

But they never gave me a cent to buy clothes. How could they blame me? Since coming back to the Carter family, I'd been treated like a servant while Vanessa took over my room and my life.

My parents handed her credit cards without hesitation, yet they couldn't bear to look at me, their own daughter.

I stayed quiet, my head down, but my silence only seemed to irritate my mother more.

"What's wrong? Are you sulking because I told you the truth? Why can't you be more like Vanessa? Look at her, smart, charming, and full of life. And look at you, always so dull and depressing. No wonder no one ever wanted to adopt you."

Her words made me look up, my gaze steady and unflinching.

"No one adopted me because I remembered I had a family. Plenty of people wanted me, but I waited for you. Now, I regret it. After all these years, I wish I hadn't."

Margaret's face twisted in anger. Feeling challenged, she raised her hand to strike me.

I lifted my chin and met her eyes without flinching.