Chapter 2Shadow of the Sun

In the days that followed, my father grew visibly colder towards me.

He no longer demanded I complete daily tasks, nor did he take time to test my knowledge. I had an abundance of time to just stare into space.

At first, escaping the heavy burden of studying felt somewhat relaxing. But as time went on, the feeling of being completely ignored gnawed at my bones, making me restless.

What truly drove me to despair was a conversation I overheard.

"Chloe has such a strong personality. What will happen to her in the future?" My mother's timid voice was laced with worry.

"The family's resources are limited. Funneling everything into the most gifted child is the optimal solution. Mia is exceptional and deserves our undivided attention. As for Chloe..."

My father's tone was dismissive.

"Does a normal kid like her really think she can compete with a genius? Marrying her off early so she can start a family is her true calling. If she can't measure up, she needs to accept her fate."

"The mayor of the neighboring town quite likes her. Next year, we'll send her over as a child bride. We can use the dowry to hire another tutor for Mia."

My father constantly spouted rhetoric about how the useless should make way.

In the past, because of her condition, my sister was almost drowned at birth. After my mother barely saved her, it was decided she had to be married off as quickly as possible.

Now that it was my turn, it seemed natural that I should accept the same fate.

But.

Why did it hurt so much?

I had exhausted myself trying to gain his approval, sacrificing all my dignity, yet I was broken so easily. After reading all those books, my only destiny was to be cast out.

"Mom, I don't want to leave you."

The night I heard that conversation, I knocked on my mother's door. It took a long time before she let me in.

Looking at my frail mother, who was forcing herself to maintain composure in front of me, I spoke dryly.

She was silent for a good while.

She seemed to be looking at me, but at the same time, looking right through me.

"Your sister's talent is incredible. You must have seen it."

I pursed my lips, a wave of panic washing over me.

"Mom, I know I can't compare to Mia. Not in academics, and definitely not in being lovable."

My father believed a doting mother raised a spoiled child, so he rarely let me near my sickly mother. Mia was the only one allowed by her side. I hadn't fulfilled my duty as a daughter.

And now, I couldn't even beat Mia in solving equations. In every comparison with my sister, I felt like a defective product.

"But Mom, even if I can't compete with Mia, I don't want to leave you. I don't want to be someone's child bride." I wanted to keep studying.

The air in the room seemed to freeze.

My mother's rigid posture slumped. She awkwardly wrapped an arm around me.

"Chloe, I have no choice. Please don't make this harder for me. You've always been such an understanding child. I can't change your father's mind, and I can't alter his decisions. Don't make this difficult for me, please."

My mother cried. Tears streamed down her pale chin, making my heart tremble.

"Okay, I understand."

I nodded, defeated. My mother's wrists were so thin. The doctor said she was very weak. I needed to be a good, trouble-free child.

"Then Mom, could you give me a pendant just like the one Mia wears? The one you prayed for and got for her?"

I thought, at the very least, I should take something meaningful with me.

"I'm sorry."

My mother cried again, apologizing through her tears.

"It's all my fault for being useless. My health is too poor to go pray for another pendant for you. The one your sister wears, I got it a few years ago when I was feeling better, by kneeling on every single step up the mountain. I can't do that now..."

I fell silent.

In the end, I had lost both my mother's love and my father's expectations.

My sister.

The sister I had sworn to save, had acquired these things so effortlessly. It made me look ridiculous.

"Okay, I understand."

Complex emotions took root in my heart, and I started dreading seeing my sister.

I was afraid she would be frightened by my ugly jealousy.