There was only one day left before the SAT.

　　It was also the final deadline for the hospital to predict my time of death.

　　Fortunately, I finally had the strength today.

　　I didn't even find it difficult to get up.

　　In the morning, I heard the sound of laughter outside the door. "Baby, I will wear this dress tomorrow to accompany you for the exam, okay?"

　　"Okay, you look the best in this dress with a great figure."

　　"My Wanda's dress is even more beautiful."

　　It was my mother and my sister Wanda Lake.

　　I dug out my old sportswear from the closet that had been stored away for a long time.

　　I was about to die, so I wanted to dress more comfortably.

　　After opening the door, I wanted to greet them.

　　But I saw that their faces looked very unpleasant.

　　My mother looked at me, and her eyes gradually darkened, then suddenly revealed a look of disgust.

　　"Did I abuse you? Why are you wearing such disgusting clothes?

　　"Why do you always come and spoil the mood every time we are happy even a little bit?"

　　I looked at their designer dresses. Comparing them with my faded sportswear, it really did look disgusting.

　　"Mom, I didn't."

　　Before I could even explain, I was pushed back into my room by my mother.

　　She gave me a cold stare and said, "Are you going to make someone accuse me of treating you differently from your younger sister?

　　"Change your ugly clothes and wash your face. Don't ruin such a nice day."

　　"Bang!" The door was slammed shut.

　　Wanda's sweet voice slipped into my ears through the crack of the door.

　　"Mom, don't be angry. Nina didn't do it on purpose. She just doesn't like to wear the same clothes as us."

　　My mother snorted, "You don't need to defend her. I know what kind of person she is. She hasn't changed her poor-looking ways even after all these years.

　　"We've looked for her for 13 years and suffered so much. How could she not know? In the end, we found an ungrateful person and she's still thinking about her stepmother.

　　"She's really been spoiled by those country folk."

　　There was a brief silence, and I could clearly feel my mother's voice lowering.

　　"Sometimes I really regret bringing her back. She's not the one I raised, so she isn't close to us.

　　"Unlike you, you are my biological child, but you are much closer to me than her."

　　Her words fell into my ears one by one, like heavy blows to my heart.

　　I was 13 years old when I was found.

　　There was a lot of commotion at the time.

　　My parents held me in their arms and cried when they were interviewed by the media.

　　They said they would make it up to me for the rest of their lives.

　　And then, they took me home.

　　But this became the worst nightmare of my short life.

　　On the first night of my return, Wanda left a note and jumped off the second floor.

　　My parents were so scared that they rushed her to the hospital.

　　They stayed with Wanda in the hospital for five days, while I was left alone at home.

　　Finally, they swore that they would never neglect Wanda because of me and would keep her position, which finally calmed her down.

　　They renamed me Nina Lake. meaning that I could finally live a peaceful life from now on.

　　It meant that I was a priceless treasure.

　　However, my days were not peaceful.

　　Wanda said she liked the new room my parents had prepared for me and cried and refused to eat unless she could move in.

　　My mother felt sorry for her.

　　At first, when something came up, she would ask me in a hesitant tone, "Nina, you're older than Wanda. Can you let her have this, and I will make your room even nicer?

　　"Wanda has been spoiled by us. You're the older sister, can you give her the last piece of cake?"

　　And later on...

　　"It's snowing heavily. I know you're independent, you can take a taxi home after school and I'll pick up Wanda."

　　She may not have known that the roads were covered in snow that day and I couldn't catch a taxi.

　　After walking for three hours, I arrived home with my shoes and pants soaked.

　　For the first time, I saw disgust in her eyes. "I told you to take a taxi, why did you walk back? Don't always show a poor and stingy face.

　　"Wanda has a cold. You go sweep the snow off your clothes before you enter the building, don't bring the chill inside."

　　The memories slowly faded away, and I sat on a chair, staring at my withered and pale face.

　　I felt so sad that I wanted to cry.

　　My stomach growled

　　It was rare for me to feel hungry.

　　I thought of going to the kitchen to find something to eat, but all I saw was the leftover food that my mother and Wanda had left.

　　They had ordered a takeaway, but there was none for me.

　　I looked at the remains at the bottom of the plate. Under the influence of an invisible force, I picked it up.

　　Let me taste the warmth of my loved ones.

　　I could tell everyone that I had family after I died, and they loved me so much.

　　In that case, no one would dare to bully me.

　　The porridge was just about to reach my mouth when I heard the sound of the code lock being opened.

　　It was my mother and Wanda coming back, followed by my father.

　　"Baby, I specially asked your father to come back, so that we can accompany you to the exam tomorrow."

　　They were talking and laughing, with their eyes twinkling like pretty stars.

　　But the atmosphere changed instantly when they saw me.

　　I knew I was a real downer because they stopped smiling when they saw me.

　　My mother frowned even more and gave me a sharp look.

　　"Nina, do you time your father's return just to make me look bad in front of him and eat leftovers? How can you be so cheap?

　　"How can you change those rural habits even after being back for so many years?

　　"You have to deliberately go against me and make me look bad, right?"

　　Her words were like knives, mercilessly piercing me.

　　My stomach clenched in a spasm, and I nearly lost my balance.

　　My father remained silent for a moment before separating us, "Wanda, take your mom back to rest."

　　Then he handed me a delicate box.

　　Inside was a Cartier bracelet.

　　"Don't get angry with your mother, she has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. Look, she specially asked me to buy this bracelet for you.

　　"All relationships require adjustment, including family relationships. After all, you've been away for a long time, and she is too strong-willed. It's inevitable that you will have some conflicts. Things will get better in the future."

　　The bracelet was put into my hand.

　　My tears couldn't be held back anymore, falling in big drops on the floor.

　　It had been four years. I still couldn't integrate into this family. Would things be fine in the future?

　　I couldn't help asking, "Will things really get better in the future?"

　　"Of course, don't think too much about it. After all, she is your biological mother, and she went through a lot of hardships looking for you. You are a sensible child, so just be nice to her.

　　"Tomorrow is the Scholastic Assessment Test. Wipe your tears and change into clean clothes. I will take you out for seafood dinner tonight."

　　When I turned around, I heard him call Wanda's name.

　　"Wanda, I have booked the car you like. I'll gift it to you when you get your driver's license."

　　Suddenly, I felt that the bracelet on my hand was very heavy, even to break my arm.

　　A biased person would never admit to being biased, but will only accuse others of being immature.

　　My dad was no exception.

　　Suddenly, I felt drained of energy.

　　Like a deflated balloon, the breath in my body slowly seeped out.

　　Before I fell, I used my last bit of strength to move myself back to my room.

　　I curled up on the bed I had slept on for four years.

　　I thought I should leave.

　　That was great.

　　I could see the people I wanted to see again.

　　It was getting dark, and I saw the twinkling stars.

　　I heard the sounds of insects and wind. They are so pitiful, just like me, fading away like a flash of lightning.

　　I also heard the harsh sound of car horns.

　　That was my dad's car.

　　But I couldn't get up. My phone rang many times, and I didn't have the strength to pick it up.

　　My mother came.

　　She kicked open my bedroom door violently and raised her voice.

　　"Are you dead? Why didn't you answer the phone? Hurry up and come out for dinner.

　　"You only know how to sleep every day and look lifeless. What bad luck."

　　Seeing that I didn't speak, my mother became even angrier.

　　She screamed at the top of her voice, "I risked my life to give birth to you, and now you hate me, don't you."

　　"You can be angry with me. If you have the guts, don't eat with us for the rest of your life."

　　When she left, the door slammed shut with a loud bang.

　　My eyes gradually grew hazy until I sank into a silent darkness.

　　I had no idea how long it had been until my vision cleared again.

　　I thought I hadn't died completely.

　　But my body was still curled up in bed.

　　My hand could pass through the wall, the table, and the phone.

　　I must have done something terribly wrong, I thought, for God to punish me by keeping my soul here on earth.

　　I was lying on the window sill when I saw the three of them returning.

　　"Wanda, go home and have a good sleep. Don't be nervous. With your grades, there won't be any problem," said Dad.

　　"That's right, Wanda is like me, she's always been good at school," said Mom.

　　Wanda stood in the middle, surrounded by my parents' love, with a mischievous smile on her face.

　　Without my presence, they were so happy.

　　I thought my existence was a mistake.

　　In their midst, I was like a rat suddenly appearing in a bustling city, out of place.

　　I could only hide in dark corners, peering at their happiness.

　　They sat on the sofa, talking and comforting Wanda.

　　Mom said she would give Wanda some money after the exam to let her travel with her classmates.

　　What about me?

　　If they found me dead at home tomorrow, would they be a little sad?

　　Or would they curse me for ruining their luck at a crucial moment?

　　If it was the latter, then I could only apologize.

　　I didn't mean to do it.

　　On the day of the SAT, everyone was tense.

　　At six o'clock in the morning, I saw my mother checking Wanda's admission ticket and thoughtfully preparing the clothes for her.

　　My aunt came to our house, saying she would accompany my parents and us to the exam.

　　"These two kids usually have good grades. Maybe they can both get into key universities," she said.

　　My mother was not modest in boasting to her. "Yes, our Wanda has always been smart. She can learn anything easily, and her grades have always been in the top three of the whole grade. Maybe she can even get into the University of Cambridge!"

　　Throughout the conversation, not a word was mentioned about me.

　　It was my aunt who brought up my name.

　　"Where's Nina? I brought a lucky charm with me. Let them wear it to get a good omen," she said.

　　My mother sighed, "Don't mention it. She's angry with me. Last night, she even refused to eat with us, and she hasn't gotten up yet.

　　"She always moves at a snail's pace and has a small-minded attitude. She is so unlike us!"

　　I just stood there, listening to them.

　　My mother talked endlessly about my lack of social skills when mentioning me, and if time allowed, she would have told my aunt everything that had happened to me since I was born.

　　She wanted to prove how much she had suffered since giving birth to me.

　　I didn't hear what my aunt said, but I heard my mother praise Wanda from start to finish again.

　　Then she asked Wanda to eat considerately.

　　She looked at Wanda with eyes full of tenderness.

　　I felt a lump in my heart and didn't want to see them any longer.

　　My only thought was that they would come to my room as soon as possible and find me dead.

　　And send me to a funeral.

　　I didn't want to be trapped in this house after my death, watching their happiness.

　　Fortunately, the next moment, my aunt pushed open my door.

　　"Nina, don't sleep, today is a big day for you, you can't be late.

　　"I also got you a lucky charm, wishing you success on the exam."

　　Seeing that I still didn't move, she came closer to my bed.

　　I tried to wave to her. "Aunt, come closer, closer, please."

　　If she had come closer, she would have noticed that I had stopped breathing.

　　But when she reached out to grab my hand, someone stopped her.

　　It was my mother.

　　Her face was full of disgust and impatience, "Nina, you have no manners at all. Don't you know you should get up when an elder talks to you?

　　"Do you always lose your temper like this? I really have no idea how they taught you out in the countryside."

　　Seeing that I still didn't move, a hint of concern appeared on my aunt's face.

　　"Isn't she sick? Nina isn't a rude girl, let me feel her forehead to see if she has a fever."

　　After saying that, my aunt sat down beside my bed.

　　She extended her hand and reached out to feel my forehead.