Part 3Second Life: I Only Live for Myself

From that day on, I threw myself into my studies with even greater determination. I knew that only by becoming strong through my own efforts would I one day have the ability to leave my family.

It wasn't long before the SAT arrived, and I did even better on it this time around than I had in my previous life.

Dad nodded with satisfaction the moment the scores were released. Then he said, in a tone that left no room for argument, "You did pretty well with a score of 1,580. Don't bother applying anywhere else. Just go to the same university as Jane."

Mom quickly chimed in, "Your father is right. You should just go to the same university so you two can look out for each other."

I found it utterly absurd. It had always been me taking care of Jane. There had never been any such a thing as "looking out for each other".

I lowered my head, concealing the wry smile playing on my lips. I had scored 1,580 on the SAT, yet they actually expected me to throw it away and apply to a university known for its art program.

It was obviously just to make sure that, just like in my previous life, I'd be ready to act as Jane's stepping stone to help her graduate without a hitch.

I couldn't fight back, though. I'd already tried that once in my previous life.

Back then, I'd made it loud and clear that I was done being a stepping stone for Jane. I was determined to go to a university in a different city, far away from hers—and that was exactly what I did.

I'd submitted an application for a university and major I'd chosen well in advance, while strictly guarding the account details and password for the admission portal.

It hadn't mattered. They'd still found a way to alter my application. Dad had paid top dollar for a skilled hacker to change it at the very last second.

I had no choice but to give in as well in this life. After all, I knew that, at the time, I stood absolutely no chance against them.

Seeing how obedient I'd become, Dad was uncharacteristically pleased and rewarded me with an expensive set of paintbrushes. It was something that I used to love, but they had always been unwilling to buy it for me.

I had long since stopped caring about those paintbrushes, though. My dream had already been shattered the moment they made me give up my award-winning painting to Jane.

I walked into the university once again, and just like in my previous life, my parents made me pick the same Fine Arts major as Jane, just so it would be more convenient for me to take care of her.

This time, however, I chose to double-major in law. I had extraordinary academic results, so the law school approved my double-major request almost the moment I submitted it.

I spent my first three years of university juggling classes and part-time jobs. My parents didn't give me any money for living expenses, so I had to work on days I didn't have classes.

I did odd jobs at galleries and art museums. I went to wealthy families' homes to paint large-scale artwork for them, and I went out to the streets to paint promotional signs and murals for businesses.

I did whatever job I could find, and though it was exhausting, it felt incredibly rewarding. I looked at the balance in my bank account, counting down the days until I would escape my family's control. I quietly anticipated the moment that day would finally arrive.

In the meantime, everything was going according to plan. Then, just like in my previous life, Jane failed eight of her major courses at once and was on the verge of being expelled.

The moment my parents found out, they rushed to the art museum where I worked part-time. Dad slapped me hard across the face before I could even say anything.

"How could you fail so badly as an older sister? Why didn't you tell us Jane was failing so many classes? We gave you all that money for living expenses, and instead of staying on campus to watch over your sister, you ran off to work part-time jobs! Is that how an older sister is supposed to behave?"

I clutched my cheek and swallowed the metallic taste of blood in my mouth, though swallowing it only made my heart ache with a sharp, bitter pain. I looked up and silently stared at Mom, who was standing nearby.

The moment our eyes met, Mom looked away guiltily. She then tugged at Dad's arm and said softly, "You shouldn't speak to Yvonne like that. She only took the job because she didn't have any money for living expenses."

Dad snapped, "How could Yvonne not have any money? Didn't we agree on 2,000 dollars a month for Jane and 200 dollars for Yvonne? Where did all that money go?

I smiled faintly and looked back at Mom.

Mom fidgeted, rubbing her hands together, and said reluctantly, "I gave that money to Jane. I mean, you know she's in poor health and needs more financial support.

"Yvonne is the older sister, and since she's healthier than Jane, she's entirely capable of earning her own living expenses. That's why I sent all the money to Jane instead."

Dad looked at me in shock. He had never imagined that I hadn't been given a single cent for expenses. But his surprise lasted only a second.

He turned his fury back on me, snapping, "It doesn't matter if you didn't get an allowance! Your part-time job here means that you won't starve to death any time soon! Why couldn't you watch over Jane, then?

"You're rotten to the core! You just want to see Jane fail. You intentionally sabotaged her! You're truly a terrible person, Yvonne!"

Mom also turned on me in disgust and said, "Your father's right. You're still alive and well, aren't you? Why couldn't you show some concern for Jane? You're just cruel by nature!"

Their words cut through me like a knife to the chest, and despair crashed over me like a wave, leaving me breathless for a moment.

I'd already been reborn and had long since had no expectations for them, but their actions still left me utterly devastated. I supposed that was the thing about family—some things just wouldn't go away no matter how much one braced for them.

Thankfully, this was the last time they would be able to do this to me.

I managed a wry smile and asked, "What do you mean I never said anything about Jane's situation?"

I took out my phone and pulled up our chat history right in front of my parents. It clearly showed that I'd told them everything about Jane skipping classes, fooling around all day, and facing the risk of expulsion for failing her courses at the end of the semester.

Jane and I were completely different. She was the one who had all of our parents' love. The moment she started university, she used the massive allowance they gave her to hang out with a bunch of trust-fund kids. She spent all her time partying, leaving her with no time or energy for her studies.

Plus, she was completely untalented to begin with. Even though she managed to get into this famous university using my paintings, the complex technical terms in the textbooks and lectures were completely incomprehensible to her. She couldn't grasp them at all, so failing her classes was inevitable.

However, my parents had refused to believe me. They'd just sneered when they read my message and had replied, "You're just jealous of Jane and can't stand to see her succeed. What do you mean by failing classes and not graduating? Jane is so smart. There's no way she wouldn't be able to graduate.

"She's just in poor health and doesn't want to study properly. Otherwise, she'd be far more talented than a bookworm like you! If you ever badmouth Jane or tattle on her again, you can forget about being part of this family, Yvonne!"

They'd assumed the worst of me. They'd refused to believe the fact that their most favored daughter was incompetent.

Upon seeing the chat history, my parents' faces instantly turned completely pale. They opened their mouths as if to speak, but no words came out.

I left them standing there in shock. I turned and walked into the art museum, going right back to finishing my shift for the day. After all, if I didn't complete my tasks, I wouldn't get paid.

I knew that even though my parents now knew the reality of my lack of funds, they still wouldn't give me a dime. I only had myself to rely on.

Just as expected, once they saw me get back to work, Mom and Dad—who now knew the whole truth—walked away hand in hand without a shred of guilt. They didn't spare me a single parting word or show an ounce of concern.

I gazed at their retreating figures and assured myself that it didn't matter. I told myself that if nobody wanted to love me, then I would love myself. I was certain that a day would arrive when I would find the person who truly loved me.