Take Back My Own Luck

At this moment, Vanessa caught Margaret's hand, pulling her close with a sweet smile.

"Oh, Margaret, don't be upset with Ella. You know how she is. It's not her fault. She's always been under my wing. Don't get angry, or you'll get wrinkles, and we can't have that, can we?" she said, her voice laced with mock concern as she leaned in affectionately.

The scene would've been convincing if I hadn't noticed the slight smirk.

How ironic. My temper had only changed because I was the one protecting her before. Back at the orphanage, she was the youngest and the smallest, always picked on by the others. I was the one who fought off her bullies. And now, she had the nerve to act like she was the one shielding me.

I could feel the anger bubbling inside me, so I turned to leave.

Sensing my escape, Vanessa quickly rushed over and grabbed my arm, trying to hold me back.

Suddenly, it hit me. Every time she touched me, she siphoned away my good fortune even faster than the pendant could. Without thinking, I shook her off, pulling my arm free.

Vanessa stood there, momentarily stunned. Margaret, catching the scene just in time, swooped in like a protective mother, stepping in front of Vanessa with a look of fierce disapproval.

"Why are you treating Vanessa like this? I've told you before, I'm the one who doesn't like you. This isn't her fault. If you've got an issue, take it up with me. Picking on Vanessa doesn't make you brave."

I noticed the fleeting glimmer of triumph in Vanessa's eyes and decided this was the moment I'd been waiting for. Reaching up, I tore the pendant from my neck.

"Vanessa, what were you so pleased about just now? Did you think this was funny? I thought you were my friend, but it turns out you've been trying to steal everything from me, my parents, my life. I guess we're done here."

With that, I threw the pendant to the ground and walked away without looking back.

I didn't bother to see their reactions. All that mattered now was securing that professor's approval, and I wasn't going to let anyone stand in my way.