Chapter 2

2.

"Chloe, think about this carefully. The Sullivan family isn't what it used to be. Staying here means you'll only suffer..."

My mother's voice pulled me back from the painful memories. I saw her holding Chloe's hand, her eyes filled with heartache.

I remembered clearly that in my last life, when Chloe chose the easy path, my parents looked satisfied. They didn't even try to comfort me.

In their minds, I was a year older than Chloe. I was supposed to give her everything. I was meant to endure the hardship.

It had been that way since we were kids. Chloe acted all heroic and self-sacrificing.

"Mom, I know you love me. But I've grown up. Nina has never been able to handle stress, but I..."

She choked up mid-sentence. She gave me a timid, fearful look as if I were threatening her. She let the rest of the sentence hang in the air.

I sneered internally. How did I not see through her fake, manipulative act in my last life?

As Chloe covered her face and sobbed, my mother's gaze toward me turned cold. Chloe shot me a small, triumphant smile.

"Nina, what do you think? Chloe really can't handle this kind of struggle..." My father looked at me with desperation.

He was waiting for me to say something different. They never told me their true feelings directly. They just knew I was soft-hearted.

They knew I wouldn't want Chloe to lose out. This "democratic" question was actually a threat to make me stay in my place.

"I respect Chloe's decision," I said, lowering my eyes to hide the coldness. I pretended not to understand my father's hidden meaning.

My father was stunned for a moment. Finally, he let out a long sigh. "Then it's settled. Nina, you prepare to marry into the White family."

"Chloe will stay and help me." He paused, then added, "Nina, once you're there, don't forget to help Chloe out. Keep an eye on the investment."

In my last life, when Chloe chose Byron, my father just held her hand and told her to live her life well.

He told her not to worry about the Sullivans. He said our bankruptcy shouldn't burden her or make her lose face with the Whites.

But when it came to me, I was expected to support the family at every turn. Such blatant favoritism.

It didn't matter. I had seen their true faces after I died. The pain was there, but my heart was incredibly calm.

I didn't answer. I just went upstairs to pack a few simple clothes. Chloe leaned against my doorframe, looking at me with disdain.

"Nina, the White estate isn't a bed of roses. Have fun enjoying the love of that freak."

I just gave her a blank look. This time, I'm the one deciding the rules of the game!