Chapter 2The Reality of Being Forgotten

I got home at 9 PM.

Final exam results came out today. I ranked first again. On the way back from the market, I bought a small piece of sponge cake as a reward.

It was the cheapest kind, two dollars, no frosting. But it was the best I could afford.

Back home, I placed the cake carefully on the table and broke off a small piece.

The texture was rough, but the egg flavor was strong. My nose stung.

I couldn't remember the last time I had cake.

Suddenly, the chat floated by again.

[Little Sis is so sad. Celebrating first place with a two-dollar cake.]

[Big Sis is different. Ranked last but feasting with parents.]

The comments discussed the feast my family was having. The cake in my mouth turned tasteless.

It was too quiet alone. I opened the livestream site again.

Sure enough, Mom, Dad, and Chloe were gorging themselves at a fancy Japanese restaurant.

I saw Mom smiling, patting Chloe's head, saying grades didn't matter as long as she tried.

I saw Dad put a large piece of fatty tuna in Chloe's bowl, saying even with bad grades, he'd send her abroad to study if she wanted.

They chatted happily, planning Chloe's future.

Not a word about me.

It was as if I didn't exist. As if Chloe was an only child.

I closed the stream, feeling dim.

Halfway through the cake, heavy footsteps sounded outside.

Dad was back.

I wanted to show him my grades. I forced a smile.

But before I could hand over the report card, he shoved me.

"Got any money? Give me money for booze!"

I shrank back. "I... don't have much."

He had taken almost everything last time.

"Working and no money? Liar! Go buy it!"

He kicked my shin.

Pain shot up my leg. A bruise formed instantly. I didn't dare speak, grabbed my loose change, and ran out.

I bought the alcohol and returned in the dark.

"I got it."

Watching him drink, I gathered my courage. "Dad, exam results are out. I got..."

Before I could say "first," he roared impatiently.

"What's the use of a girl studying! You'll just get married! Hurry up and graduate, get a job, and give me money! That's what matters!"

My eyes widened. I remembered the livestream.

They encouraged Chloe to study, to see the world while she was young.

Why was it useless for me?

I crumpled the report card in my pocket and never took it out.

Dad finished the booze and stumbled out, knocking over the table.

My half-eaten cake fell to the floor. He stepped on it without a glance.

Bang. The door slammed. Footsteps faded.

I looked at the crushed cake and cried.