Chapter 4

Brittany sees me and visibly shudders, like she’s seen a ghost.

Finally, she musters up the courage to reach out her hand.

“Ashley, let’s bury the hatchet!”

I stand there, stunned. I never argued with her, what is there to forgive?

Five years ago, I was a college freshman.

Like always, every time I entered a new place, I declared my ownership over Carter Hayes.

Carter was my fiancé, and I loved him fiercely, plus, being Ashley Landry, the spoiled rich girl, I didn’t tolerate any girl looking at him twice.

Brittany was one of them.

Dillany was one of them.

Brittany grew up in an orphanage, but somehow, she always managed to catch Carter’s eye, and he couldn’t help but pay attention.

Even my brother, who always took my side, turned against me.

I confronted her once.

After that, Brittany was tormented by bullies.

Everyone said that I was behind it. By the end of the semester, Brittany couldn’t take it anymore and jumped from the roof of the school.

She was rescued, unharmed, but she left a note. It was full of accusations against me.

Nobody believed me.

Carter broke up with me. I thought it was the worst thing that could happen to me.

Then, I found out I wasn’t a Landry after all.

Brittany was the real daughter.

And my real parents? No one would tell me! I fell from grace in the blink of an eye.

The people who had raised me sent me to a mental hospital.

“I don’t want the family to worry, whatever you did, I don’t care.”

“If you don’t make Mom and Dad mad, I can treat you like a sister!”

Brittany smiles, all sweetness and forgiveness. Anyone would praise her for her kindness and generosity.

Dad nods in agreement.

“That’s right, if you change, you can be a Landry again!”

Chad frowns at me.

“I only forgave you because Brittany wanted me to. Thank Brittany now, and if you bully her again, I won’t forgive you!”

Five years ago, I would have defended myself. I didn’t bully Brittany, she did it all herself.

But now, I’m not going to humiliate myself by explaining things to people who don’t care.

“I’m sorry, I just wanted to get my ID back…”

They all glare at me. They think I’m ungrateful.

“Why do you make a fuss about this small thing? If you’re so childish, do you want to go back to the hospital?”

“We raised you, why can’t you be nice like Brittany, why can’t you be a better daughter?”

Mom seems agitated. I don’t know why she’s so upset.

“But I’m not your daughter anymore!”

Is it not normal for me to get my ID and leave?

Mom freezes.

She lets go of me, looks at me. It’s like she doesn’t recognize me.