When my body was barely healed, I packed up and returned to the Green family's old house.

In more than a month, no one from the family had called me.

I thought of the father who used to lift me up with a smile and pressed my lips together.

At least, I wanted to say a proper goodbye.

When I entered the living room, my parents seemed visibly uneasy at the sight of me.

"Eileen, you're back." My mother, who had been holding Eden's hand, awkwardly let go when she saw me.

Eden looked displeased at being released, then shot me a venomous look.

What was she unhappy about? She was now the true heiress of a wealthy family.

And I was just an imposter about to move out.

"Mom, Dad, can I talk to you?"

My mother hesitated, wanting to go to the study with me, but Eden held her back.

"I'm a part of this family now, so let's just talk here."

I glanced at her, and she flinched but defiantly glared back.

My parents listened to her and sat down again.

Of course, I was an outsider. What right did I have to talk to them?

Without hesitation, I turned and went upstairs.

In the month of no contact with the family, I had come to understand their choice.

One daughter who suffered hardship outside, another who was swapped to steal her destiny.

I had no standing to blame them.

But my nose tingled, and I couldn't hold back my tears.

It felt like my entire life had been an illusion, nothing real.

As I packed my things, Eden followed behind me.

"Eileen Green, how dare you come back? All these things should be mine. How can you take them?"

Her resentful voice came from behind me.

My hands paused as I packed my things.

"Then leave it all to you."

I continued to pack my things with my eyes downcast, taking fewer things with me.

I left behind all the jewelry and valuables, taking only some clothes and personal items.

When I went to get the cat carrier to take Lucky, Eden grabbed me.

Her eyes were full of provocation. "You need to leave this behind."

I frowned, tightening my grip.

"You have the money to buy as many cats as you want. Do you even need to take mine?"

But she pulled harder, causing me to stumble.

"This cat was a gift from Jone to you, but I gave it to him. It was mine, to begin with. How can you take it?"

Mentioning Jone made my heart ache.

When Jone brought that skinny little cat to me, I couldn't help but soften.

"Eileen, you know we can't keep pets at home. Look at how pitiful it is. Can you take it in?"

But he knew I was allergic to cat hair.

"Eileen, let Eden have it."

I turned to see my mother had entered my room.

"This is my cat." I stubbornly refused to back down.

It has nothing to do with Jone. I've raised this cat for two years.

I could leave everything else behind, but asking me to give up Lucky was impossible.

"Eden just got home and doesn't understand much. She just likes the cat. Why can't you give it to her?"

"Our family has treated you well. Besides, all of these things should rightfully belong to Eden."

My mother frowned at me, her face full of disappointment.

I let out a bitter laugh. Indeed, there isn't a single thing in this house that belongs to me.

Even the kitten I raised is not mine.

And neither am I.

Eden impatiently reached out to grab Lucky, lifting the cat by its tail.

"Stop it!" I hurried forward, trying to take Lucky back.

A cat's tail has cartilage. Lifting it this way could cause a fracture!

Lucky cried out in pain, leaving a scratch on Eden's arm before she angrily threw it against the wall.

I stood frozen, watching as the small, soft body slid down to the corner, blood spilling from its tiny mouth.

I dropped my luggage, carefully cradling it in my hands.

The kitten's wet eyes gazed at me, it whimpered twice before breathing its last.

Tears that I had held back for so long finally poured out.

Ignoring the blood on my hands, I grabbed whatever was within reach and hurled it at Eden.

Why? Why couldn't she even spare a small kitten?

I never wanted to steal her life. Why blame me for everything?

What did I do wrong?

"Enough! It's just an animal. What more do you want? Get out of our house!"

Hearing these words from the mother who once loved me, I couldn't help but widen my eyes.

Not only was the kitten an animal, but I was too, wasn't I?

Today, it wasn't just the kitten that was abandoned, but me as well.

I tilted my head back, trying to stop the tears, and wrapped Lucky in my coat, picking up my luggage and walking out.

"I'm done owing you," I said.

"You're a family. I won't disturb you anymore."

Once soft and warm, Lucky was now slowly stiffening in my arms.

Finally, I had become utterly alone.

As I stepped out of the Green family's gate, I saw Jone leaning against his car, seemingly waiting for someone.

He noticed the bundle in my arms, blood seeping through, and his expression froze.

"Eileen, what are you doing?"

I looked at him expressionlessly. "Isn't this what you all wanted? I've finally gotten what I deserve."

I've lost my family, my love, and the only kitten I had.

Jone walked up and grabbed my chin.

"Eileen, your temper is really unlikable. You're no longer the eldest daughter of the Green family, yet you're still so arrogant, aren't you?"

My chin ached from his grip, but I couldn't break free.

"Yes, you must have had a hard time trying to please me and my bad temper. Now you can finally be with your beloved Eden, so why don't you just go and fawn over her?"

As I was forced to tilt my head, the pain in my lower abdomen intensified.

Jone suddenly raised an eyebrow, his lips brushing against my ear as he murmured.

"You're not a wealthy heiress anymore. I suppose you're not very well-off now, are you? Twenty thousand a month—will you come with me?"