Chapter 3

3.

A flicker of awkwardness crossed Mom's eyes.

She had always known Chelsea took my money every month, but she chose to turn a blind eye.

Through the crack in the door, I could see Chelsea eagerly unwrapping every single gift Dad had bought her.

I had never received a single present. In this house, even if Chelsea disliked something, she would rather throw it in the trash than let me have it.

Mom headed down to the kitchen to prepare a pot of premium bird's nest soup for Chelsea.

Cooking was always my responsibility, but whenever it involved expensive delicacies, Mom cooked them herself.

She was constantly on guard, terrified that I might sneak a bite.

Seeing the unwashed dishes in the sink, Mom's temper flared instantly.

She slammed the pot down and stormed toward my room, yelling, "Rainey! Stop hiding in your room being lazy! Why haven't you washed the lunch dishes yet?"

Before doing the dishes, the hospital had called to notify me about the donor lung, so I had rushed out in a frantic hurry.

That had been the very first time I failed to finish my chores on time.

When no answer came, Mom barged straight into my cramped room.

"Rainey..."

Before she could finish her curse, she realized the room was completely empty.

Any normal parent would wonder if something terrible had happened to their child.

But Mom didn't care. Infuriated, she pulled out her phone and dialed my number repeatedly, but nobody answered.

"Staying out all night without permission... Who taught her to be so wild?"

"A feral brat from the backwoods will never learn how to be civilized!"

Chelsea suddenly appeared at the doorway, looking vibrant and full of life.

She must have faked her pneumonia symptoms to trick Mom into staying home.

"Mom, are you looking for Rainey?"

Mom's irritated tone softened the second she heard Chelsea's voice.

"Chelsea, why are you out of bed? Go back and lie down, you need to rest."

"If only your sister had half your sense. She hasn't come home all day and won't answer her phone."

A sudden clatter came from the corner of the room. Just as Mom turned to look, Chelsea quickly interrupted her with a troubled expression.

"Rainey often stays out late. I heard rumors at school that she's sleeping around with older guys."

Hearing about wild behavior, Mom exploded with fury. "She only picks up the worst habits!"

"Fine! If she doesn't come back today, she's never welcome back! I'm cutting all ties with her!"

As Mom turned to leave, Chelsea gasped and pointed toward the corner of my dusty desk.

"Mom, isn't that the diamond necklace you've been looking for all month?"

Glancing in that direction, a diamond necklace sparkled on the floor.

It was indeed the heirloom necklace Mom had lost weeks ago.

I stared at Chelsea in disbelief. She was the one who had just dropped it there.

She had stolen Mom's necklace to show off to her classmates, and now that she was done, she framed me for it.

Mom picked up the necklace, inspecting it closely. "I can't believe I raised a thief! What a disgrace!"

"I'm hiring a locksmith tomorrow to change the locks and throwing all of Rainey's junk into the dumpster. She's never stepping foot in this house again!"

Watching Mom and Chelsea walk away, a familiar ache tightened in my chest.

Ever since the police brought me back from the remote mountains, I had watched their retreating backs countless times.

I was like a stray dog, tailing behind them, praying that Mom might turn around and look at me with love.

Blood ties never bought me an ounce of trust.

No matter how ridiculously Chelsea framed me, Mom believed her without question and never gave me a chance to explain.

In this household, I had always been a thorn in everyone's side.