Chapter 3I Won’t Be Gaslit Again

Oliver froze, and Daphne shrieked, covering her mouth dramatically. “You’re too much! How can you curse brother?! I won’t allow you to curse the best brother in the world!”

I retorted, “Two dogs.”

I jumped out of bed and walked away. Oliver tried to stop me, but I was too fast. I couldn't care less about his barking behind me.

I jogged all the way to the university, found my homeroom teacher, and withdrew my withdrawal application. Then, I jogged again to find my advisor, Professor Eleanor Vance, to apologize and request to resume my studies with her.

Professor Vance was furious, her face cold as she told me to get lost. I knew her anger stemmed from her high expectations of me. She had repeatedly warned me not to be swayed by emotions, not to jeopardize my future. She had even reminded me that if my parents and siblings truly loved me, they wouldn’t constantly demand sacrifice and contribution from me.

But I had vehemently argued, wasn’t sacrificing and contributing to family a matter of course? I had failed Professor Vance’s expectations, not only withdrawing from school but also selling my research spot, quitting the project team, and continuously contributing my intellect to Daphne, helping her climb the ladder by stepping on me.

Now, Professor Vance’s refusal was my deserved retribution. I humbly apologized to her, and as I turned to leave, she suddenly called out to me. Her eyes, magnified by thick glasses, glistened with unshed tears. “Are you truly capable of genuine repentance?”

My heart soared with delight. I nodded vigorously. “I swear! I’m willing to give everything to my profession! I will never do anything foolish again!”

After a long moment, the pen in Professor Vance’s hand finally stopped sketching. She softly uttered a sentence. “Well, what are you waiting for? Get to the lab!”

I was overjoyed, like a drowning person clutching a lifeline at the bottom of a lake. I couldn’t help but exclaim excitedly, then joyfully put on a lab coat and dove into the laboratory.

Me, writing Daphne’s thesis? Me, doing her experiments, publishing her data, entering competitions for her? In your dreams! This time, I’m living only for myself!

Family ties? Bullshit parental love? I want none of it!