The 300th IOU

Pan-fried trout, huh?

That dish was like a nightmare for me.

I remembered that it was my mom’s 40th birthday.

I had secretly learned how to cook that dish because I wanted to make it for her.

I was only twelve at the time.

While making it, I almost cut my hand and got burned by the hot oil.

But after all that effort, when I served the dish, Rachel said she liked it. So, my mom did not even taste it and gave the whole plate to Rachel instead.

I could not forget Rachel’s smug look.

She finished everything before me, but she accidentally got a fishbone stuck in her throat.

My parents panicked and rushed her to the hospital.

She clung to my mom and said weakly, “Mom, don’t blame Clara. I was greedy and ate too much.”

Because of that one sentence, my furious mom slapped me.

She called me vicious and accused me of trying to hurt Rachel on purpose.

Ever since then, whenever Rachel wanted pan-fried trout, my parents made sure someone watched over me and forced me to carefully remove every single fishbone before serving it.

Deboning fish was slow and tiring.

Hoping for just one word of praise from my parents, I had to do it hundreds of times over the years.

I felt sorry for myself.

“You can ask the servant to make it. I don’t want to.”

After saying that, I turned to leave.

But Rachel suddenly grabbed my arm and said pitifully, “Clara, are you still mad at me? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to tell Mom and Dad about you spending too much money.”

My parents were already angry due to my attitude, and after hearing her words, they became even angrier.

My dad stormed over, raised his hand, and slapped me so hard that I fell to the floor.

“You still dare to be mad at Rachel?!

“Do you even realize that if you hadn’t wasted her living expenses, she wouldn’t have gone hungry and ended up with stomach problems?!”

My mom looked at me with disappointment, but since I was still her daughter, she helped me up.

“Clara, you pretended to have a car accident just to get money. Rachel has already covered for you so many times.

“We made you sign those IOUs for your own good. You need to stop wasting money.”

I held my face. It burned with pain.

But the pain in my heart hurt even more.

I pushed my mom’s hand away and said, “I didn’t lie. I really was in a car accident.”

My mom frowned.

She looked at me as if I was beyond saving.

“Clara, stop lying. Dr. Wilson from the private hospital already told your dad and me. There’s no record of you ever being treated there!”

Rachel took the chance to stir things up.

“Clara, even if you really needed money, you shouldn’t lie to Mom and Dad.

“I still have some allowance left. You can take it. We’re sisters, after all.”

My mom sighed and gently patted Rachel’s head. “Rachel, if only Clara were as sensible as you, we wouldn’t have to worry so much.

“But don’t make yourself suffer because of someone like her.

“She needs to learn her lesson.”

I laughed.

While standing in the middle of the living room, I watched their sweet little family moment and laughed so hard I nearly doubled over.

“Clara, what’s wrong with you?!”

My laughter startled my parents. They quickly stepped in front of Rachel.

They were afraid I might do something to her.

I stopped laughing and coldly looked at my parents. Then I reached into my pocket, pulled out my surgery report, and threw it on the floor.

“I never had the money to go to a private hospital. Isn’t it obvious why you couldn’t find my records?”

My parents froze. They picked up the surgery report from the floor and glanced at it. Their expressions changed.

“Clara, your leg…”

My mom took a step toward me. For a moment, she almost looked worried.

But Rachel quickly cut in.

“Clara, did you really get into a car accident?

“Are you okay? It’s all my fault. If it weren’t for my coming-of-age ceremony, Mom and Dad would have been with you.

“It must have hurt so much!”

She sounded concerned, but her nails dug painfully into my arm.

I knew exactly what she was trying to do. I did not want to stay here and play the fool in their family drama anymore.

I pulled my arm back, and Rachel fell lightly to the floor.

Any guilt my parents had for me vanished instantly.

“Clara! Why are you taking your anger out on your sister?!

“It was just a car accident. You’re fine now, aren’t you?

“Apologize to Rachel right now!”