Chapter 3

Before I could answer, Maria began to ramble.

"My family is from the South too, and I was also the third child."

"Unlike you, I had two older sisters and a younger brother. At home, the holidays were the worst."

"We didn't have much money, so new clothes always went to my sisters and my brother first. My sisters' hand-me-downs would eventually come to me. My brother? Well, he was a boy, so he always got new things."

She paused, as if remembering something, then laughed.

"Good thing I married far away. I didn't have to go back home and endure that kind of treatment anymore."

...

Listening to Maria's story, my eyes welled up without me realizing it.

But I knew that you shouldn't cry on New Year's, or you'd cry all year.

I could only look up at the sky, where there was nothing, but my eyes still felt dry and strained.

"I guess it's not that I don't want to go home."

"It's just that… I feel a bit like an extra at home. Maybe it's better not to go back and just cause more trouble."

The following days at the guesthouse were simple and fulfilling, filled with busy work.

It wasn't until the sixth day of the New Year that I received my first message on my phone.

I nervously pulled it out, and when I saw it wasn't from Mom or Dad, but from Jessica, a cousin I wasn't particularly close to, I couldn't describe the feeling.

Still, I tapped on the chat.

"You didn't have a fight with your parents, did you? I didn't see you when we went to visit today. I didn't dare say anything, afraid of causing an argument."

Even through the screen, I could imagine her eager expression, waiting for some drama.

"Honestly, you too, there's no need to constantly compare yourself to your brother and sister. They're good-looking, smart, and obedient. What do you have to compete with them?"

I stared at the words, about to type out the truth.

*I was left behind by Mom and Dad in the North.*

*I never wanted to compete with Daniel or Victoria.*

But before I hit send, I deleted every single word.

What would it prove?

They might even get upset that my absence ruined their holiday mood if they found out.

Better to pretend I didn't know, and just finish my winter job. Earn some money. Next time they forgot my allowance, I wouldn't have to go hungry.

But I never expected that on the eighth day of the New Year, I would see Aunt Carol and Jessica visiting the guesthouse.

They were surprised to see me, wearing an apron and wiping tables, but they still greeted me warmly.

"What are you doing here?"

"Working here for the winter break," I said honestly.

Aunt Carol looked incredulous. "Your family comes from a pretty well-off background, why do you need to work a winter job?"

She added, "I'll call your parents later and ask them about it."

I didn't know how to respond, so I didn't.

Aunt Carol and Jessica stayed for three days, and I was on edge for all three.

Even as I cleaned their vacated room, I still hadn't received any messages from Mom or Dad.

I gave a self-mocking laugh. Of course. I was old enough now; I should know the difference between empty promises and genuine care.

Back then, if Aunt Carol ran into Victoria on the street, she'd immediately call my parents. "Your daughter is so pretty, why let her go out alone? You should spend more time with her, what if she gets taken?"

For my matters, it was always "later" or "next time."

When I was little, I used to hope. Later, I thought I had gotten used to it.

But at this moment, I realized I still hoped.