Chapter 2

"Why do you look so awful?"

Everything around me felt like it had been blurred a thousand times. I hesitated for a long time, only snapping out of it when Julian called my name for the third time.

I forced a smile that felt more like a cry. "Oh. What's wrong?"

Julian frowned and reached out to touch my forehead. "Well, at least you don't have a fever."

"The doctor told you to get out more. You just lock yourself in the house all day painting, and your depression isn't getting any better."

I opened my mouth, but my throat felt like it was stuffed with wet cotton.

So you burned my only lifeline in the name of 'helping me'?

"Look at Emily. She never overthinks things. That’s why she’s always happy."

"Cheerful girls always have good luck. You're just too timid and weak."

A bitter wave washed over my heart.

Someone like Julian, who had always sailed smoothly through life, would never understand.

Without a loving family or a healthy body, how hard it was for someone like me to just survive.

Seeing my eyes turn red, he threw his hands up in defeat.

"Fine, fine. My bad. I shouldn't have brought it up."

"Anyway, some friends and Emily are coming over for dinner tonight. A crowded house will be good for you."

After all these years together, Julian never remembered that I loved quiet. He never cared that I hated when he brought strangers into our home.

Or maybe he did remember. He just didn't care about me enough to bother.

I opened my closet and picked out a faded dress.

It was the most decent piece of clothing I owned.

The doorbell rang, and plates of food were brought to the table.

Emily, wearing the latest designer dress, sat right next to Julian at the head of the table.

She laughed as she stabbed a wing with her fork. "These spicy Buffalo wings are amazing!"

I sat in the farthest corner, quietly chewing on a small piece of dry bread.

I was severely allergic to spicy food. Julian knew this from the day we met.

Yet, for Emily, he still made a whole table of spicy dishes.

After a few drinks, the conversation turned casual.

"Emily is such an overachiever. She had straight A's in college, and now she’s killing it at work."

"She’s already so successful, yet she still works so hard. How are ordinary people like us supposed to compete?"

Emily smiled, raising her glass in mock modesty.

"You guys are exaggerating. I just got lucky."

My heart was ripped to shreds. That job was supposed to be mine.

Emily and Julian had literally stolen my life.

"By the way, how is Georgina doing lately?"

Emily suddenly looked at me, the mockery in her eyes barely concealed.

"I remember back in school, your grades were always at the top of the class too."

Dozens of eyes focused on me like burning magnifying glasses.

My mind went completely blank. "I... I..."

Julian took over the conversation with a sigh. "Georgina is just resting at home. She’s sick."

He went into the kitchen and brought out a small plate, pushing it toward me.

"I made baked potatoes just for you. No spice. Eat up."

Before I could even take a bite, I heard him sigh.

"She worked so hard to get into a good college, but now she just lies around all day. I even have to bring her food to her face."

"She used to be so full of life. Now... I feel sorry for her."

Emily let out a dramatic, pitying sigh, her eyes lingering on my faded collar.

"I remember Georgina used to love dressing up. Why are you dressed so... simple now?"

Julian looked over, his voice laced with annoyance.

"Seriously. Don't I give you enough allowance every month? Why don't you take care of yourself?"

Before my condition got this bad, I had wanted to buy a new dress with the money I saved from my freelance work.

But Julian had only given me a cold look.

"You don't even go out. There's no point in buying pretty clothes. Save the money. We’ll need it later."

And now, he was embarrassed by me.

My stomach churned violently. I grabbed my stomach and stood up abruptly.

"I don't feel well. Excuse me."