Chapter 2

My impression of Caitlyn was mainly based on memories from ten years ago. I still remember the moment we first met. Helen, whom I should now address as Mrs. Gaultier, held Cailtyn in her arms. "My darling… My baby… It must've been hard for you all these years," cried Helen. Caitlyn's father, Frank Gaultier, stood beside them, teary-eyed. Meanwhile, Cyrus presented the gift he had prepared long ago. It was a limited-edition doll he had hunted all over the city for. I merely watched them in silence like an outsider. Since that day, the Gaultiers treated me like an annoyance. Even Cyrus shifted all his affection onto Caitlyn. I had tried to make Caitlyn like me, thinking everyone would treat me like before as long as Caitlyn and I got along. Unfortunately, I was wrong. I could never forget what happened that afternoon. Caitlyn grabbed my arm and hissed under her breath, "Susie, you're nothing but a thief who stole my place. Everything in this family is mine, including Cyrus." As I stared at her in shock, she suddenly released her grip on my arm and fell down the flight of stairs from the second floor. Before I realized what had happened, Cyrus and my foster parents rushed out of their rooms. Seeing Caitlyn in that state, Helen shoved her finger in my face and called me an evil ingrate. Frank had nothing but disappointment in his eyes. And Cyrus immediately rushed to help Caitlyn up before shouting, "Susie, I never thought you could be like this!" That was the same day I got kicked out of their house. And now, it felt like the same thing was happening again. "You heartless wretch. Cait's your sister. How could you just stand by when she's sick?" Helen was extremely emotional. The journalists who were intentionally invited to the banquet began hurling questions at me. "Ms. Sloan, can you really bear to let Ms. Gaultier die because there's no kidney donor?" "You were raised by the Gaultiers. And now you're refusing to help them when they need you. Don't you think you're being ungrateful?" "Ms. Sloan, do you really not care about your sister's condition?" There was no end to their questions. In the midst of the chaos, I lifted my gaze and spotted a silhouette at the corner of the second-floor staircase. It was Caitlyn, who was wearing a spotless hospital gown. She stared at me from the second floor with a gaze that had a trace of delight instead of pain from the illness. Finally, Caitlyn spoke in a voice that was just enough for everyone to hear. "Cyrus, Mom, Dad, stop forcing Susie." As she gripped the railing, she said in an understanding tone, "I'm the one who's sick. It's not Susie's fault. I… I don't want her to be in a tough spot because of me. I'll pass on the surgery." As soon as Caitlyn finished speaking, the crowd erupted in anger. "Did you guys hear that? Ms. Gaultier's so kind!" "Susie really has a heart of stone!" "How could she act like the victim when her sister's in such a state? How disgusting!" Everyone began lashing out at me. Right then, I felt a sharp pain in my stomach. For the past few years, I had been working tirelessly to take care of my sick father and save up for his surgery fee. Since then, I developed chronic stomach problems. The pain came in waves, making me break out in a cold sweat and my vision go black. I folded over in pain, but it only made everyone think I was putting on an act to escape my responsibilities. "How dare you act like the sick one?" Helen marched over and shoved me mercilessly. "What an actress. Can you believe she's pulling out such cheap tricks just to avoid helping her sister?" Endless curses were hurled at me. Everything around me began to spin, and finally, I slumped weakly to the ground. Before passing out, I used the last ounce of strength I had left to look at Cyrus. He stared at me condescendingly like I was nothing but a stranger. The indifference in his gaze crushed me harder than the crowd's words. That was when I finally felt my world sink into complete darkness.