Chapter 4

Tick-tock, the clock in the living room ticked steadily.

I was in so much discomfort that my strong desire to survive left me with no energy to feel lost. I quickly sought out Cloe to beg her to take me to the hospital.

Fortunately, I was treated in time. The doctor said my symptoms were caused by an allergy, and if I had waited any longer, I could have gone into shock, which could have been life-threatening.

I lay in the hospital bed waiting for the IV drip to finish, remembering how scared I was at the time, afraid that I might die…

Just as I was drifting off to sleep, I heard a sharp reprimanding voice.

“Why is she so fragile? Allergic to pineapple... What did I do to deserve bringing home something so troublesome? I give her good food, and she ends up with problems.” Mom stormed in, complaining to Cloe as she walked.

Seeing Mom’s angry face, I didn’t know how to react.

Sister rushed in from the door, immediately passing Mom to run to my bedside, tears pouring down like pearls falling from their string.

“Wuwuwu... Mom, did I do something wrong? I shouldn’t have given the pineapple to my sister.”

Mom hugged Sister and comforted her: “It’s not your fault, she ate it because she was greedy. If she couldn’t eat it, she should have just stayed away from it. Now we’re all running around after her, causing trouble for everyone.”

She finished speaking and shot me a glare.

I struggled to sit up, looking at the mother and daughter hugging each other, feeling a pang of envy.

I unconsciously felt my nose turn sour, and the feeling of grievance spread from the depths of my heart, with tears running down my face.

“Do you still have the nerve to cry? Didn’t you know you were allergic to pineapple? I told you not to eat it! Why didn’t you just die from it?” Cruel words came from Mom’s mouth.

Seeing my movement, Mom released Sister and walked over to push me back onto the bed.

“I didn’t do it on purpose. I didn’t know I was allergic to pineapple,” I hurriedly explained to Mom.

“Who are you trying to look pitiful for? You don’t even care for yourself. Didn’t you see that your sister is crying because of you?”

I hung my head, too afraid to look at Mom.

Seeing me in this state only made her angrier. She slapped me twice on the back, hard.

I really didn’t know I was allergic to pineapple, and I never meant to cause trouble.

Mom and Sister came, glanced at me, and then left. Only Cloe stayed behind to look after me.

The next day, as I prepared to leave the hospital, Cloe packed my things while grumbling and complaining.

“Ah, you little girl, thank goodness you’re okay. But you should know your own food restrictions! I spent all night running around and didn’t get any rest.”

“I’m sorry, Cloe, I understand now.”

“I don’t know how you two sisters got swapped. Alice has been with your mom since she was little, and she’s obviously closer to her.”

“You came back from the welfare institute, and Alice’s real parents are nowhere to be found. She’s been abandoned and now your mom’s even more worried about her and treats her well. It’s normal.”

“Alice’s very sensible, and you should be sensible too.”

“Also, your parents have assets, and you’ll get your share. But don’t worry, Alice won’t be left out either.”

…

Cloe talked to me at length about how Sister and my parents interacted, and indeed, their family seemed very close, harmonious, and happy.

Listening to Cloe’s description, I felt like a sudden outsider. But I was their real daughter!

Since then, they never strongly insisted on what I should eat, drink, or do.

They helped me transfer to a new school, arranged for me to board at the school, and gave me enough pocket money every month.

Of course, I still went to the same school as Alice, but she was still picked up by a car every day while I only had the boarding option.