Chapter 2My Mother's Choice

Mom let out a sigh, her brows knitted tightly together. "Fiona's grades were average all through college. If she were to apply to graduate school on her own, she would have a hard time getting into a good program.

"If she doesn't get into this lab, she'll probably struggle to find even a decent job after graduation. She's never had much confidence in herself. If she takes another hit, she'll completely fall apart."

"So, the opportunity that I worked myself to the bone for should just be handed over to her?" I shot back calmly.

"What do you mean, handed over? I'm protecting her!" Mom raised her voice, sounding as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"You're her younger sister. What's wrong with helping Fiona? Your research proposal was so well written. Once it was submitted under Fiona's name, of course, Professor Wilson thought more highly of her.

"With this lab experience on her résumé, it'll be much easier for her to find a job or apply to graduate school later.

"It's different for you. With your ability, even if you lose this opportunity, you'll earn an even better one someday. Fiona can't, and we're family. Why do you have to keep score over everything?"

I looked at her and suddenly found the whole situation so absurd that it was almost funny.

"So, because I'm more capable, I deserve to lose what's mine? And because she's weaker, she gets to take everything I fought so hard for without feeling guilty?"

"How can you say something so cruel?" Mom frowned, looking completely disappointed that I was being so 'petty'.

"Enough. It's already settled. Professor Wilson has submitted the final list. There's no changing it now."

She sighed again before adding, "I know you're hurting. Tonight, I'll make your favorite roast beef to make it up to you, okay?"

Without waiting for an answer, she waved me off impatiently and headed into the kitchen.

At dinner, she smiled as she placed a large slice of roast beef onto my plate. "Go on, try it. I made this especially for you. It was roasted for hours, and it's delicious."

I picked up my knife and fork, cut off a piece, and took a bite. The first thing I tasted was the rich flavor of rosemary—Fiona's favorite herb.

"Well? Is it good?" Mom asked expectantly.

"It is." I swallowed the bite and cut off another piece.

I simply sat there in silence. I did not flip the table, and I did not ask why she had cooked it the way Fiona liked instead of the way I did. Bite by bite, I finished the entire plate of roast beef that had been made entirely to Fiona's taste.

It did not make me sick, and I did not burst into tears or run out of the house. There was only a dull ache spreading through my chest.

When I finished the last bite, I set down my knife and fork, quietly rose from the table, and headed back to my room. There was no argument and no dramatic outburst. I simply grabbed a change of clothes before disappearing into the bathroom.

Half an hour later, I was drying my hair as I pushed open my bedroom door. My footsteps stopped cold. Fiona was sitting at my desk with her back to me. She had a flash drive in one hand and was frantically working on my computer.

"What are you doing?" I asked, my voice icy.

Fiona jumped so hard that her whole body shook. She spun around, her face turning ghostly pale. Her first instinct was to yank out the flash drive. However, I was already beside her. I grabbed her wrist before she could.

A progress bar was moving across the screen.

"Sunny... I... I was just looking..." Fiona stammered, unable to meet my eyes.

"Do you even understand what you're looking at?" I demanded. "You got Professor Wilson's lab position, but you can't even understand the research materials he sent you, can you?

"So, while I was taking a shower, you sneaked in here to steal the core notes I spent three sleepless nights putting together?"

Embarrassment instantly turned into anger, and Fiona struggled to pull free. "What do you mean, steal? Mom said this project belongs to me now! If you won't let me see it, how am I supposed to join the graduate research team when school starts? Are you trying to ruin me?"

"Those are my notes! Get out!" I shoved her away and reached for my computer.

Her eyes went red with panic as she lunged for the keyboard. "Give it to me! You just want to watch me embarrass myself, don't you?"

She stumbled. Her hand flailed wildly through the air.

The glass of water on my desk toppled over, spilling across my computer keyboard. A sharp electrical crackle echoed through the room. The screen flickered twice before going completely black, leaving me frozen where I stood.

For one terrifying moment, my mind went blank.

"What's going on? Why are you two making so much noise this late at night?"

Hearing the commotion, Mom rushed into the room.

The moment Fiona saw her, her eyes instantly filled with tears. She burst into sobs and immediately accused me.