Mia, that reservation is just holding a bed for you; you have to pay for it yourself.

Sis, it's New Year's—rooms are impossible to find! That hostel is in a prime location! We had to pull strings just to get you a spot!

It's your own fault for taking time off so late. Everything was already booked.

The last flicker of hope in my chest died.

My gaze dropped to the small suitcase at my feet. Inside were the outfits I'd carefully picked for this family trip—and the little gifts I'd brought for Mom, Dad, and my cousin.

"Miss, are you staying or not?" The guy at the front desk was losing patience.

Stay?

Why should I stay here? To save forty bucks?

"I'm not staying. Thanks."

I dragged my suitcase out of the hostel and stood on the curb.

My phone buzzed again.

Sis, we're heading out to eat! Big-plate chicken—you coming or not?

Then Mom: Mia, we already ordered. Grab a cab and get over here, it's right next to the hotel.

She dropped a location pin. A popular local restaurant. Not cheap.

Why?

Why did I have to swallow every grievance in silence and hide away in some forty-dollar hostel?

They were hoping I wouldn't show up, weren't they?

Then I'd make damn sure I did.

I raised my hand and flagged down a cab. "Take me here."

On my screen was the check-in location from my cousin's social media post—that five-star hotel gleaming under golden lights.

The lobby wrapped around me in warmth and perfume the moment I stepped inside. Nothing like the damp, gloomy hostel.

Everything matched her photos. Even more stunning in person.

The receptionist smiled. "Good evening. How may I help you?"

"Do you have any rooms left? A king."

"Yes, ma'am."

Check-in was quick.

The room was spacious, elegantly decorated. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the city's glittering skyline.

I glanced at the family group chat. Mom and my cousin were still going back and forth—raving about the food, asking where I was.

I typed: On my way now.

When I arrived, they were already deep into dinner.

The table was loaded: big-plate chicken, hand-pulled lamb, baked buns...

My cousin spotted me first. Her smile froze for a split second. "Sis! Finally! We've been waiting forever!"

Dad turned. "Good, you're here. Sit down and eat."

Mom moved to pour me water—then realized there wasn't even a cup in front of my seat.

She twisted around. "Waiter! We need another place setting!"

I sat down and watched the cozy scene unfold.

My cousin chattered about their trip to the lake. Mom chimed in with little details. Dad added a comment here and there.

"Oh, Mia—how was the hostel? Settling in okay?" Mom's voice was warm, but her eyes flickered away for just a moment.

"Fine," I said.

"Good, good." She visibly relaxed. "It's the holiday—everywhere's packed. Having a roof over your head is already lucky!"

My cousin jumped in. "Seriously, Sis, you have no idea how hard it was to find you a room."

"We booked our hotel six months in advance. Otherwise? No chance."

Six months.

They'd booked the five-star hotel six months ago.

And my room was a hostel bunk I'd only "with great difficulty" managed to book recently.

I asked, "What are your plans for tomorrow?"

"We're going to the snow mountain!"

Freya's eyes lit up. "It's so beautiful in winter—like a fairy-tale world! Sis, you'll love it!"

Mom smiled and picked up the thread. "See how much Freya cares about you? These past few days she kept asking when her big sister was finally arriving. She's been dying to see the snow with you!"

She paused, her tone turning playful. "Isn't it almost New Year's? As the big sister, shouldn't you show your appreciation? Get your little sister a gift?"

Dad chimed in. "Weren't you going on about that designer bag a few days ago, Freya?"

"I looked it up. Pretty nice—perfect for a young girl. Your sister can give it to you as a New Year's gift."

His tone was so matter-of-fact. Like I was just a walking ATM.

Freya's eyes sparkled, but she put on a show of modesty, waving her hands. "Oh, that bag is way too expensive. I couldn't let Sis spend that kind of money."

Mom gave her a light smack and turned to me with a smile. "Spend what money! If your sister makes money and doesn't spend it on you, who would she spend it on? We're family—no need to talk like strangers. It's settled."

I stared at the steaming plate of braised chicken in front of me.

This was supposed to be a long-awaited reunion dinner.

Now I just felt sick.

That bag—I knew it. Freya had posted the link on her feed a couple days ago.

$18,000.

"Our company's year-end bonus fell through," I said suddenly.

The table went silent.

Mom's smile froze. "What? How could—"

"The industry's tanking. Company's losing money. Bonus got cut."

I kept my voice calm and even smiled at them. "So that bag? I can't swing it right now."

Freya's expression shifted instantly.

Dad rushed to smooth things over. "Oh… well, if that's the case, forget it. Next time—when you're in a better spot financially."

I gave a bitter smile.

So the family harmony I thought we had was built entirely on my sacrifice.

The atmosphere turned awkward, and dinner ended in a hurry.

Back in my hotel room, I opened that post again.

It had updated:

[Ugh, this annoying older cousin is SO hateful! Tomorrow our whole family's doing a premium group tour to the snow mountain, and she insists on tagging along!]

[And at dinner she put on this whole pitiful act—oh, my bonus is gone, I have no money! I'm dying laughing. If you're broke, why join a group tour? She's doing it on purpose!]

[But I kept a trick up my sleeve, hehe~ Tomorrow I'll make sure she goes and doesn't come back!]

The comments were even livelier:

[OP did great! People like that need to be taught a lesson!]

[Tell us the plan!!]

[Curious +1, stop keeping us in suspense!]

[Embarrass her tomorrow? Or…?]

The original poster replied: [You'll find out tomorrow. I guarantee it'll be something she'll never forget :)]

I stared at that smiley face.

A chill crawled up my spine.

Goes and doesn't come back?

What the hell was she planning?

Whatever it was, I couldn't just sit around and wait.

At exactly seven, I went down to the hotel entrance.

Freya was already there. When she spotted me, her eyes lit up. "Sis! You made it!"

Mom and Dad stood nearby.

The tour guide called everyone to board. It was a fifteen-seat minibus, already half full.

Freya was buzzing the whole way—snapping photos, posting to her feed.

Mom and Dad chatted here and there, but mostly watched the scenery roll by outside the window.

I sat quietly, observing everything around me.

After about two hours, the bus pulled into a rest stop. The tour guide told everyone to stretch their legs, use the restroom, grab some snacks.

Freya wandered over to the snack area while I headed for the bathroom.

When I came out, I spotted her chatting with a strange man. He looked to be in his forties, wearing a bulky down jacket. The moment he saw me approach, Freya's smile vanished.

"Harper, you're out! This is Jake—I just met him. He's heading to the ski resort too."

The man nodded at me, his eyes sliding over me from head to toe.

Back on the bus, Freya was noticeably quieter, no longer chattering away like before. I noticed Jake had boarded our bus too, settling into the last row.

I quietly opened that post.

The most recent update was from ten minutes ago:

The plan starts! Going skiing with my annoying older cousin soon, then I'll make her fall and get hurt!

I arranged for a local bachelor to "save" her, hehe~ Then things will happen between them...

I'll tell Mom and Dad, and they won't want her anymore! Best case, she marries him and stays here~

The comments section was full of praise:

OP, brilliant move! Solves the problem AND does a good deed!

Is that local bachelor reliable? Don't let something actually happen.

The poster replied: Don't worry, I asked around. He's in his forties and still can't get a wife, family's dirt poor. My cousin's a bit old but decent-looking, and she's from the city—he'll definitely be willing.

I even had him record a video~

After it's done, she'll have to stay here and marry him. She'll never go back. Perfect solution!

My whole body went cold.

So it wasn't to take my life—it was to ruin it.

Freya was only twenty. How could she have such vicious thoughts?

I glanced toward Mom and Dad in the front row. They were talking quietly, occasionally letting out soft laughs.

Did they know? Or was this the whole family's plan?

After arriving at the ski resort, we went to rent equipment.

I deliberately stayed behind Freya. Whatever color ski suit she chose, I chose the same. She picked up a pink helmet, and I grabbed an identical one.

"Harper, why are you copying me?" She frowned, annoyed.

I put on the helmet and turned to smile at her. "Even though we're not real sisters, we grew up together—closer than blood."

"Wearing the same thing is so fun!"

Then I turned playfully to Mom and Dad. "Look, don't we look like twins?"

Mom laughed. "You really do! Freya's always been close with her older cousin—now you look even more alike!"

Dad nodded. "Pretty good. Matching sister outfits."

Freya pressed her lips together and said nothing, but displeasure flickered in her eyes.

Fully dressed and standing in the snow, we really were almost impossible to tell apart. Same ski suits, same equipment, same height and build—even the same model skis.

The plan officially began.

Freya pulled me toward the beginner slope to practice. Sure enough, Jake trailed behind us, keeping a distance that was neither too far nor too close.

"Harper, let's check out that area. Fewer people—photos will look better." She pointed toward a fork leading to the intermediate slope.

"Okay." I nodded and followed obediently.