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.

The farther we went, the fewer people there were.

My cousin led the way, picking up speed as she went. When we reached a turn, she suddenly slowed down.

I knew it—this was the spot.

Sure enough, just as I slid up beside her, she spun hard, her snowboard whipping sideways, crashing straight toward me.

I was ready. At the same instant, I twisted my body and dodged, sliding half a meter to the side.

She hadn't expected me to react that fast. The force of her own momentum threw her off balance. With a sharp scream, she tumbled headfirst down the steep slope.

Jake didn't hesitate. He rushed down after that pink figure.

I turned around and slid back the way we'd come, unhurried.

When I reached the beginner run, Mom and Dad were sitting in the café.

Mom waved when she saw me. "Sweetie, where's Freya?"

I pulled off my ski goggles, keeping my expression calm. "She said she wanted to check out the advanced run. Told me to head back first."

Mom frowned. "That girl—why'd she go over there alone?"

I sat down and ordered a hot chocolate. "She'll probably come back after she's had her fun."

Time crawled by.

An hour later, still no sign of her.

Mom started getting anxious. "Why is it taking so long? Nothing happened, right?"

Dad stood up. "I'll go look for her."

We went to the resort's management office together. When the staff heard someone had gone to the advanced run and hadn't returned, they immediately radioed the rescue team.

A few minutes later, a staff member rushed over, face pale. "You… you'd better come see this. Over by the equipment shed…"

We followed him to a prefab storage shed used for backup gear. A crowd had already gathered at the entrance—some whispering, others holding up phones to record.

"Move aside, move aside!" The staff member pushed through.

Mom, Dad, and I squeezed to the front. Before we could process anything, we heard it—suggestive sounds coming from inside the shed.

And the rhythmic creaking of wooden racks.

Mom's face changed instantly. "What is that?"

A middle-aged woman nearby whispered, "In broad daylight—shameless…"

Dad's expression went dark. He strode forward and kicked the flimsy wooden door open.

Bang!