Chapter 4Shadow of the Sun

Regardless, Mia stayed home this time.

Having a genius child, my father walked with a newfound spring in his step every day. Even my mother, freed from the fate of being a discarded piece because of her favored child, seemed to have gained some vitality.

My father assigned Mia study tasks, and my mother, afraid she would get tired, forced herself to cut fruit and bring it to her. Worried she would overwork herself, she uncharacteristically argued with my father, fighting fiercely for Mia to have break times.

These were things she had never done for me.

I hid in the corner, like a cockroach in the shadows, peeking at a happiness that didn't belong to me.

"Don't worry, Sister. I won't let Father send you away. We sisters have to stick together."

During her lunch break, Mia sneaked over to see me and made a solemn promise.

I looked at her.

Her slightly frail body had filled out quite a bit after a period of careful feeding. Her cheeks were plump and glowing, and her exposed skin had no bruises or redness.

That's wonderful.

...In the past, whenever my father was displeased with me, he would punish me. But as expected, with Mia being such a genius, even a strict man like my father became much more lenient.

"Okay, I'll wait for you to protect me."

The roles of protector and protected had been completely reversed. I suppressed my sorrow and agreed, though I didn't think she could persuade our father.

My father was my father. Having been the head of the household for years, male chauvinism was carved into his very breathing. Even if Mia was incredibly smart and capable, how could she possibly resist his deep-seated stubbornness?

Just as I expected.

The day Mia brought it up with my father, I was hiding behind the door, nervously realizing his voice had darkened.

"I allowed you to study as a woman, take the college entrance exams, and find a live-in son-in-law—isn't that enough? What other family's daughter isn't married off for money after a few years? Mia! I have been merciful enough to you!"

"The law of the jungle! Survival of the fittest! Since that useless Chloe couldn't beat you, she should obediently accept her fate! It's not like I told her to go die!"

Mia's pure voice interrupted him.

"Sister wants to keep studying. She's going to be the world's best scientist."

"You dare talk back!" My father grew even more enraged.

"What dreams! Bullshit! Oh, I get it now. She put you up to this, didn't she? I knew she wouldn't behave. A piece of trash who doesn't want to fulfill her last bit of value and actually dares to instigate you to make trouble."

"Where is she? I'll personally convince her to accept her fate."

The chilling malice in my father's words made my scalp tingle. Terrified, I nearly dropped to my knees and immediately turned to run.

Unfortunately, before I could run more than a few steps, my father kicked the door open and quickly grabbed me.

Like an experienced hunter pinning down a weak lamb.

The only fate left for it was to be cooked and eaten.

One slap after another fell.

Looking at Mia, who watched me getting beaten in a daze, and my mother not far away, covering her mouth and sobbing bitterly but not daring to take a step forward,

My heart was filled with numbness.

I touched my face, and my hand came away wet with tears.