Chapter 4

"2328, come out and sweep the living room. Don't hole up in your room on Christmas."

I gripped the broom, looking at Aria scrolling on her phone on the couch.

"Just me?" I asked.

"Aria can't do anything right. You expect her to help?"

Mom walked over and patted my shoulder. "You do a bit more, and people will praise you for being diligent and sensible. Mom's building your reputation."

Same as always.

Seemingly criticizing Aria, but completely exempting her from work.

I felt numb inside, mechanically starting to sweep.

"Oh, I need to tell you something."

Mom's expression was deliberately casual. "The demolition notice came through for our old house."

I stopped moving. Aria looked up from her phone.

"They're compensating us with two commercial apartments on Oceanview Road."

"Mom thought about it. One will be transferred to my name, one to Aria's name."

The air suddenly went quiet.

Only the exaggerated music from the TV remained.

"I don't get one?" I heard my voice ring out awkwardly in the living room.

"It's close to your sister's company but far from yours. Even if I gave it to you, it wouldn't be convenient."

Mom spoke quickly, as if afraid I'd ask more questions.

"Besides, after I'm gone, the one in my name will go to you two sisters anyway."

My hands trembled uncontrollably as I gripped the broom.

For the first time, I abandoned decorum and asked directly.

"Then why not transfer the one in your name to me?"

Mom clearly hadn't expected me to ask such a "shameless" question.

She paused, then grew angry.

"Your sister is careless. If you don't take care of me either, don't I need to keep something for security?"

I lowered my eyes and laughed softly.

"Didn't you always say you raised me to be sensible and obedient? Are you afraid I won't take care of you in old age?"

Mom froze, her shoulders tensing.

"You have a boyfriend now. Who knows if you'll be led astray?"

Her voice climbed to a shrill pitch. Aria watched from the sidelines, a spectator to the scene.

"If I give you the house, what's to stop you from turning around and handing it to some random men?"

"Besides, it's thanks to your sister's example that I knew how to raise you properly. You owe your upbringing to her. Compensating her now is only fair. What's your problem with that?"

In that moment, my blood turned to ice.

No matter how unjust her favoritism was, she could always wrap it in the language of fairness.

In her mind, twisted logic simply became justified reasoning.

I threw the broom to the floor, my words sharp and deliberate.

"Well, you can stop worrying. After today, Kyle said he can't handle us. We're done."

"That man was never good enough for you anyway." Mom turned away, already moving on. "Disrespecting our family rules on his first visit? He has no breeding."

"What rules? Rules to keep me in line?"

My voice cut through the air, sharper and louder than I'd intended.

Aria finally stood up from the couch, awkwardly trying to smooth things over.

"2328, Mom is just being protective. She's cautious for you."

"Look at your attitude!" Mom pointed at me. "After all I did to raise you, you talk to me like this? Over one apartment?"

I looked at them both, feeling completely like an outsider.

Right. Just one apartment.

Like when I was little, it was just a nickname. Just one piece of clothing. Just tuition money.

Growing up, it was just a job. Just an apartment. Just never being the favorite.

A bitter laugh escaped me, leaving me chilled to the bone.

I went to my room and started packing my few belongings.

My mother watched, a mocking smile playing on her lips.

"Where exactly will you go? All the hotels are closed."

I dragged my suitcase to the door, my voice flat and final.

"Wherever it is, it won't be back here. Not ever."