Chapter 3

3

"Dad, I brought you some lunch. I figured you hadn't eaten yet."

Jenna walked into the precinct carrying a thermal container.

A woman I didn't recognize followed closely behind her. The moment I smelled the scent clinging to that woman, my soul began to shiver.

Her eyes were cold and predatory, like a snake's.

Miller smiled and joked, "Must be nice having daughters to take care of you. You're a lucky man, Arthur."

Arthur let out a cold snort. "Some children are more trouble than they're worth."

My eyes dimmed. I knew exactly who he was referring to.

Miller looked awkward. "But Nora used to sneak food to you all the time, too."

"Liars! That was always Jenna. Nora doesn't have a selfless bone in her body. I'm just happy when she isn't causing trouble."

Before Miller could argue, Jenna quickly hid the guilt in her eyes and grabbed Arthur's arm.

"Dad, eat while it's hot. Nora doesn't even know how to boil water, let alone cook a meal for you."

Over the years, every kind thing I did for my father was credited to Jenna.

I had taught myself to cook years ago, during the countless times Arthur took Jenna out to dinner and left me home alone.

Jenna always had a million excuses to keep my father from caring about me.

In his mind, I was a lazy, spoiled brat who didn't care about anyone.

To the outside world, Jenna looked more like his biological daughter than I did. He even used a pet name for her, while he only ever called me by my full name.

Arthur affectionately ruffled Jenna's hair. "I wish Nora was even half as sensible as you."

Jenna looked down shyly, but I saw the smug, triumphant smirk on her face.

"By the way, who is this?" Arthur asked, noticing the woman standing behind Jenna.

Jenna linked her arm with the woman's. "This is the nanny I just hired. I'm leaving for college soon, and I was worried Nora wouldn't take good care of you."

The other officers in the room started praising Jenna for being such a devoted daughter.

Only Miller remained silent.

Arthur beamed at the compliments, looking at Jenna with immense pride.

I was already numb to his neglect. Jenna was an expert at playing the part of the perfect daughter. She loved being the center of attention.

Even the chance to study abroad had originally been mine. I had stayed up every night studying to earn that scholarship.

I wanted to prove to him that I wasn't a failure. I wanted to get away so I wouldn't have to watch them be a happy family anymore.

But Jenna had to take that from me, too. She faked an illness to get my father's sympathy, and he handed my spot to her without a second thought.

I remembered the cold look in his eyes when he told me.

"It's not like you'd make anything of yourself anyway. I don't even know how you cheated to get that spot. Your sister is smarter and has a real future. You'd just go over there and embarrass me."

I had bitten my lip so hard it bled, the light in my eyes fading once again.

Jenna had given me a mocking look of victory. I wanted to tell her she didn't need to put on an act. If she wanted something of mine, Dad would always give it to her.

It had always been that way. From toys to the person I loved, Arthur would snatch them from my hands the moment Jenna showed interest.

I thought I was used to it, but my heart still ached.