Chapter 3My Mother's Choice

"Mom! I just wanted to learn from Sunny's way of thinking. I was scared I wouldn't be able to keep up once school starts, and I didn't want to disappoint you. But instead of helping me, Sunny kept treating me like the enemy. She even pushed me...

"I accidentally knocked over the water, and her computer got ruined..."

Mom looked at the computer with its dead black screen, then she looked at Fiona, whose face was streaked with tears. Her expression immediately darkened.

She did not scold Fiona for sneaking into my room and stealing my work, and she did not ask about the months of effort that had just been destroyed. Instead, she frowned and turned to me with obvious irritation.

"Sunny! Fiona is about to start graduate school under Professor Wilson. What's wrong with her looking at your notes? That research proposal belongs to Fiona now. Why won't you hand it over?

"She's your sister, not your enemy. We're family. Family is supposed to help each other, not guard against each other. I never imagined you'd be so coldhearted."

"She destroyed all my research!" My whole body shook with anger.

"It's just an old laptop! Do you really have to make such a big deal out of it?" Mom raised her voice, drowning mine out. "So what if the files are gone? They're still in your head, aren't they? You're so smart. Just write them all over again."

"What did you just say?" My voice trembled.

Mom replied without the slightest guilt, "I said you're going to rewrite that entire research proposal from memory tonight. Think of it as a back-to-school gift for your sister.

"If she can't keep up during her first week... If she gets discouraged or falls into depression because she struggles with the research team... I'll cut off your living expenses."

I looked at the two of them.

Fiona stood behind Mom, unable to hide the smug satisfaction in her eyes. Mom stood there as though she were completely justified, demanding that I hand over everything I had fought so hard to earn.

It was as if my dreams, my career, and my future were nothing more than gifts she could give away whenever she pleased. An icy chill crept up my spine. Then, all at once, my heartbeat steadied. There was no anger, no heartbreak.

"Okay." My voice was calm.

Mom blinked, clearly surprised that I had agreed so easily. The tension in her face eased. "That's more like it. I knew you'd be the reasonable one. Stop arguing with your sister all the time. All right, get started. Just don't stay up too late."

The door closed behind them.

I turned around.

Looking at my completely ruined computer, I did not shed a single tear. Instead, I picked up my phone. I opened an email that had been sitting quietly in my inbox for weeks.

It was an official admission letter from one of the top universities on the other side of the world.

Due to my grades and research experience, they had not only admitted me but also awarded me a full scholarship that covered all of my tuition and living expenses.

Until now, I had still been hesitating. I was not sure whether the savings I had worked so hard to build over the years would be enough for me to start a new life alone in another country.

However, at that moment, as I looked at the ruined laptop, I did not hesitate for even a second.

I tapped 'Accept Offer'.

Then, I logged into my university's student portal. I submitted my request to withdraw from the graduate program at my current university.

Next, I pulled a small suitcase from the bottom drawer of my closet. Quietly, I began packing the few things that truly belonged to me.

For the next two days, I deliberately stayed out of Mom's and Fiona's way.

Finally, the day before orientation day at my graduate school arrived.

I went back to my room to retrieve the one thing that mattered most—the bank card hidden beneath the false bottom of my desk drawer. It held every scholarship I had earned through years of studying, along with the money I had saved working at a fast-food restaurant during my summer and winter breaks. It was my tuition, my living expenses, my only way out.

However, when I pulled open the drawer, it was empty.

Panic surged through me as I yanked every drawer open and searched every corner of the room. Nothing. The bank card was gone.

I rushed into the living room, where Mom was helping Fiona pack. Two expensive suitcases sat on the floor, crammed with brand-new clothes and everything Fiona would need for school.

In Mom's hands was the latest professional camera.

"Where's my bank card?" I stared at her.

Without even looking up, Mom continued packing. "Oh, that card? I took your ID to the bank yesterday and transferred all the money out of the account."