Raised in poverty. Raising Celline in wealth. The more I thought about it, the deeper the ache in my chest grew and before I knew it, tears spilled down my cheeks again.

Mom and Dad immediately panicked, their voices filled with concern as they asked what was wrong—if someone had bullied me.

I shook my head and forced a small smile. Then, in the softest voice, I said, “Last night, I went out to watch the fireworks alone. I saw a beautiful girl with Mom and Dad. You bought her so many things.”

I hesitated before adding, “But no one was with me. I’ve always been alone.”

Mom and Dad exchanged glances. Panic flickered in their eyes for a fleeting second—so fast that most people wouldn’t have noticed. But I did.

Mom’s eyes reddened as she pulled me into a tight embrace, her voice trembling with emotion. “Little Feather, it’s our fault. We’re useless parents. We couldn’t give you a luxurious life and we’re always so busy with work… We didn’t have time to be there for you.”

Once upon a time, her tears would have softened my heart and I would have rushed to comfort her. But now, all I could think about was how good her acting skills were. Too busy with work? Or too busy taking care of her?

“Naomi, there’s no need to envy others just because we’re poor,” Dad said, his voice full of wisdom, as if he was teaching me a valuable lesson. But I wasn’t envious of others.

I was envious of Celline—their cherished, adopted daughter who was treated better than their own flesh and blood.

“Okay, okay, let’s not dwell on this. I’ll go heat up your food,” Mom said, quickly getting up and heading to the kitchen.

She brought back a plate of seafood—something I had never been given before. Yet, despite the delicacies, I didn’t touch a single bite. Instead, I focused on my plain white rice, eating in silence.

“Little Naomi, why aren’t you eating the shrimp and crab?”

“You’re still growing! You need more nutrition,” Mom and Dad insisted as they peeled shrimp and crab, placing them into my bowl with care. But the food tasted like nothing to me.

They claimed they wanted me to be healthy, yet they were spending all their money on her. How ironic.

***

After dinner, I mustered up all my courage and finally voiced a request. “I want a new computer.” It was the first time I had ever asked for something.

The laptop I had used throughout college was a second-hand model, bought for five hundred dollars. It lagged even when opening a simple document. But I had never dared to ask for a replacement, fearing it would burden my parents financially. Instead, every penny I earned from part-time jobs, I gave to my mom—to help pay off our so-called debts.

“Little Naomi, can you manage with what you have?” Dad sighed heavily. “Your mom and I haven’t even paid off our external debts yet.”

“Yes, Naomi. If it’s not absolutely necessary, let’s wait until you start working and save up for it yourself,” Mom added, her voice full of difficulty.

Of course. Of course, it would be like this.

My heart sank, an icy chill spreading through me as I recalled the scene from last night. Celline wanted a sports car and a necklace worth millions and they bought them without hesitation. I only asked for a computer worth a few thousand dollars and yet…

I clenched my fists under the table.

Perhaps they noticed my sinking mood because Dad suddenly sat beside me, squeezed out a smile and tugged my hand gently. “Daughter, why don’t we go to the movies tonight?”

“Yes, yes! Let’s go together! And we’ll buy Little Feather a big bucket of popcorn,” Mom added, her eyes filled with anticipation.

I hesitated for a few seconds, but eventually, I nodded. “Okay. Because… spending a holiday with Mom and Dad was something I had always longed for. The moment I agreed, both of them let out a breath of relief, their shoulders relaxing. Buzz!

Just then, Dad’s phone vibrated. He picked it up, glanced at the screen and his expression shifted. He quickly exchanged glances with Mom before clearing his throat.

“Aigoo, Older Brother Larry needs to meet us about work,” he said casually.

Then he turned to me. “Little Naomi, stay home for now. Don’t go out, okay? There are a lot of bad people roaming around during the New Year.”

Just like that, my last shred of hope crumbled.

Dad admonished me, then hurriedly left the house with Mom.

"Talking about work? Really?"

With my heart full of doubts, I secretly followed them outside, only to see that familiar Lamborghini.

Moments later, Celline stepped out of the car and dove straight into Mom's embrace, her movements far more natural than mine had ever been. Mom’s face softened into a doting smile. Meanwhile, Dad frowned and scolded, "Didn’t I tell you not to come here? Why did you sneak over?"

Unfortunately for them, there is no such thing as a completely impenetrable secret—I already knew the truth.

"I missed you guys." Celline pouted, then pulled out a pair of movie tickets and said, "Mom, Dad, come to the movies with me tonight, okay? The last time we went together was two months ago."

Mom and Dad exchanged glances, hesitation flickering across their faces. Seeing this, Celline pouted again, her voice taking on a pitiful tone. "Mom, Dad, am I not your favorite daughter?"

"Of course you are!" Mom immediately reassured her.

Celline blinked innocently and added, "Oh, is it because Sister Naomi wants you to accompany her? If that's the case, then you should go with her instead. I don’t mind." Her falsely sweet tone sent shivers down my spine.

"No, it’s not that!"

"We have a meeting with a client tonight. We'll see if we're free later," Mom quickly denied.

Dad nodded. "Yes, we'll call you if we’re free."

"Alright then." Celline feigned disappointment as she got back into the car.

I clenched my fists, feeling a storm brewing in my chest, but I didn’t confront them. Instead, I silently returned home, waiting to see whom they would ultimately choose to spend the evening with.

Normally, when I went out with Mom and Dad, I would wash my hair, put on perfume and dress neatly. But tonight, I felt no desire to do any of that.

By the end of the night, Dad suddenly turned to me and said, "Naomi, the company just notified us that we need to work overtime tonight. Your mom and I have to go, so—"

"You guys go," I interrupted before he could finish.

Dad hesitated for a moment before sighing in relief. "Alright. Stay home and go to bed early. There are noodles in the kitchen. If you get hungry, cook yourself some dinner."

I watched them leave, my vision blurred by tears.

In the end, they still chose her. They abandoned their own biological daughter to spend time with their precious adopted one. I just wanted to be with them for one evening. Was that really too much to ask? Why are they doing this to me?

I ran into my room, my chest heaving with emotion and began tearing through the stack of birthday greeting cards my parents had written me over the years.

"Little Feather, we hope you have a joyful new year! Mom and Dad love you!"

"Naomi, you've grown up again. Don't stress too much—your health and happiness are what matter most."

"Our Naomi is the sweetest and most understanding girl! She truly is our little angel!"

These cards had been my only birthday gifts every year. I had cherished them because they had felt like proof of my parents’ love. But now, I realized—it was all a lie.

I tore them apart, along with the certificates and awards I had worked so hard for over the years. I had studied tirelessly, spending every free moment in the library. I had even turned down an opportunity to study abroad, all because I wanted to stay close to my parents and support them. But now, all my efforts felt meaningless. Another sleepless night. Another night spent in tears. And then, a sudden realization struck me— I had to start living for myself.

Without hesitation, I picked up my phone and called my college professor.

"Professor Joe, are there still any openings for the overseas study program?"

"There are, there are! I was just waiting for you to say yes!" Professor Joe’s excitement was palpable through the phone. "You’re my best student, Naomi. If you go abroad to further your studies, your future will be limitless!"

I felt my throat tighten. "But, Professor, the tuition and living expenses..."

"The school will cover it all. You don’t have to worry about a thing."

Hearing those words, a wave of emotions surged within me. A mix of relief, gratitude and something I hadn’t felt in a long time—warmth.

"Thank you, Professor!" I whispered, my voice trembling.

After hanging up, I sat in silence for a long moment, letting the reality of my decision sink in. Just then, the front door creaked open.

"Little Feather, come see what we brought you!" Mom’s cheerful voice rang through the house.

I stepped out of my room and found them holding a bag of my once-favorite candy canes.

"Little Feather, we’re sorry about last night," Mom said as she placed the candy in my hand. She stroked my hair gently, her voice filled with false remorse. "Once we come back from this business trip, we’ll take you to the movies."

Dad nodded. "I’ll buy you two buckets of popcorn then."

I stared at them, my expression unreadable.

"Okay," I replied flatly.

They took my response as a sign that everything was back to normal. Without another word, they hurriedly packed their things, left a hundred-dollar bill on the table and prepared to leave once more.

Just as they were stepping out the door, Mom turned back, her expression slightly nervous. "Oh, by the way, if any packages arrive in the next few days, don’t open them, alright?"

I nodded mechanically, though my mind was already racing.

They’ve never specifically told me not to open a package before. Which meant—it had to be from Celline.

Sure enough, that evening, the doorbell rang. A courier stood outside, holding a small parcel. I signed for it, hesitating for only a second before flipping it over to check the sender’s address.

My suspicion was right. This was for Celline. Mom and Dad didn’t want her coming to the house directly, so they had her packages sent here instead. Something inside me snapped.

Before I left, there was one thing I needed to know—what was so special about Celline? What made her more deserving of my parents’ love than me?

I followed the address to a grand, detached villa. Two bodyguards stood at the entrance, keeping watch.

The doors were slightly ajar and through the gap, I could see Celline seated at an elegant grand piano, playing effortlessly. She wore a noble, custom-tailored dress. She looked graceful, refined—everything I wasn’t. Compared to my simple, worn-out clothes, the difference between us was staggering.

One of the guards caught sight of me and scowled. "Go beg for food somewhere else. This isn’t a place for the likes of you. Get lost."

I didn’t move. I couldn’t. I just stood there, frozen, staring inside.

Celline must have noticed me because she suddenly lifted her hands from the piano keys and gracefully stood up. With a slight smirk, she glanced at the bodyguards. "Let her in."

I stepped inside, my eyes darting around the luxurious interior. Chandeliers, marble floors, priceless paintings—everything exuded wealth. Memories of my cramped little bedroom flashed through my mind, making my chest tighten with resentment.

"Have you always believed you lived a happy life? That your classmates and teachers envied you for having such ‘loving’ parents?" Celline’s voice was soft, almost pitying.

I clenched my fists. "What are you trying to say?"

"What I’m saying is," she continued, tilting her head slightly, "your so-called happiness is nothing but a joke."

A cold smirk played on her lips as she gestured around the room. "Look at this villa. Look at my piano. Look at the dress I’m wearing. Every single thing here is custom-made, designed specifically for me."

She took a step closer. "And what have Mom and Dad given you? Hand-me-down clothes? Leftover food?"

Her voice dropped to a whisper, taunting. "Oh and let’s not forget—while you were staying up late, working hard and worrying about them, they were here. With me."

Each word cut deeper than the last.

I could feel the tears stinging my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. "I worked hard. I studied. I gave up everything for them!" My voice cracked. "Why... why wasn’t that enough?"

Celline chuckled, her tone dripping with mockery. "Because you’re ugly and dull."