Only I should know what happened last time.
But Cody was saying those things. Could it be
that he…reborn too?
As soon as I had this thought, I knew I had to
act fast.
2
Three days later was my graduation party.
The Smiths weren’t planning on throwing a
party for me. When they heard Grandpa Stern
was pushing us to get married, they threw
something together and invited Cody’s family.
It was supposed to be a celebration for me, but
it was really an excuse to talk about me
marrying Cody.
The maids had already brought out a few
dishes when Cody and Britney finally showed
- up.
“Here.” Cody plopped down next to me and
tossed a gift box at me. “Don’t say I didn’t get
you a graduation present.”
I didn’t want it at all.
But I didn’t want to make a scene, so I faked a
smile and said thank you.
I opened it and saw a tiny pendant.
There was a free–gift sticker that hadn’t been
removed.
I saw Britney, who was making a point of
touching the gaudy diamond necklace around her neck. It was obviously a set with the free
gift in my hand.
Britney smirked at me.
I twitched my lips, didn’t say anything, and
tossed the gift in the trash.
Even a dog wouldn’t want this kind of gift.
“Sis, why did you throw Cody’s present away?”
Britney looked at me, all wide–eyed and
innocent, then glanced at Cody.
“Is it because it wasn’t expensive enough?
Cody and I spent so long picking it out.
“I’m so jealous of Britney, unlike me, she is adopted. All the gifts people give me, no matter
how small, I appreciate them.”
She started crying into her mom’s arms.
My lips twitched.
Everyone thought I was the Smith family’s
precious daughter, and since I was the only
biological kid, I had it all.
But they didn’t know that Britney had always
been the favorite because she was so sweet
and manipulative. She always set me up to look
like I was bullying her, so my parents always
favored Britney, scolded me for being jealous
and stubborn.
Even though I was their biological daughter, I
was the one who wasn’t loved.
If Grandpa Stern hadn’t said I was the one who saved his life, and that I was the only one who could marry into the Stern family, they would have forced me to give the chance to Britney.
My mom finished comforting Britney, then
turned to scold me.
“Britney, what is wrong with you! Just because Grandpa Stern likes you, you think you can treat
Cody and Britney this way!
“If Grandpa Stern hadn’t already decided on
you, Britney would be marrying Cody. What man would like you like this, always with a long
face? Pick up the gift right now!”
I used to hide in bed and cry over their
favoritism. As I got older, I just got used to it.
When I was in middle school, I knew I was going
to marry Cody or Zack, and I gradually fell in
love with Cody.
I thought I could get all–consuming love, but
Cody favored Britney too.
His love was like my parents‘ love. I couldn’t
get it.
Last time, I was so desperate for love that I
didn’t see the truth. I was stupidly lying to
myself that things would get better after we got
married.
But this time, I wouldn’t sacrifice myself for
that scrap of affection.
My mom telling me to pick it up brought me
back to reality.
I shrugged, ignored her, stood up, and walked
upstairs.
“I’m done eating. Enjoy your meal.”
“Stop!” Cody grabbed my wrist, angry. “Pick up
the pendant and apologize to Britney!”
I stopped and raised an eyebrow. “Why should I
apologize for getting a free gift?”
His eyebrows jumped, and he looked a little
guilty, but he still yelled, “Britney and I spent all
afternoon picking it out. It’s a free gift, but we
still put our hearts into it.
“Britney, you already got me, why do you have
to hurt Britney? She’s going to be living with us, who knows what you’ll do to her?
“You need to apologize to her. You can’t be so
petty as my wife, or else…
99
I looked at him expressionlessly and said, “Cody, we don’t have to get married.”
He laughed like I’d told the funniest joke in the
world.
“Don’t be stupid, Britney, the whole town
knows you’ve been chasing me for ten years,
dreaming of being my wife.
“Now that your dream’s coming true, why
would you throw it away?”
Cody’s mom chimed in, “That’s right, Britney, if
you don’t marry Cody, are you going to marry
that Zack kid?
“Grandpa Stern asking for your opinion is just a
formality. He’s not going to let a cripple run the
Stern family, is he? We need Cody to build the
family.”
Everyone at the table lowered their heads and
smiled meaningfully.
