6
My uncle’s family came to visit. He asked my parents if they were planning a recovery party for me, now that I was out of the woo-
- ds. It seemed the thought had only just occurred to them, and they quickly agreed it was a great idea.
On the morning of the party, Celine appeared at the breakfast table dressed in plain, simple clothes.
My parents and brother were shocked and immediately rushed to her side.
“Celine, what’s wrong? Why are you dressed like this?” my mother asked anxiously.
Celine bit her lip and glanced at me, who was calmly eating breakfast. “Today is sister’s big day. She’s the star of the party. I don’t
want to steal her spotlight, so I thought I’d dress simply.”
“You foolish child,” my mother said, hugging her tenderly. “Even though today is a party for your sister, it’s a celebration for our who-
le family. You should look just as beautiful as she does.”
“That’s right, Celine. Go change into a pretty dress. We want everyone to see the two beautiful Rhodes sisters,” Alex said with a
smile.
Celine continued to bite her lip and look at me. “But I’m afraid sister will mind… I don’t want to upset her and cause disharmony in
05:52
Chapter 1
the family…”
Alex frowned at me. “Rory, Celine is your sister. You shouldn’t be bothered by things like this. Between sisters, there’s no such thing
as stealing the spotlight.”
“Exactly, Rory. As the older sister, you can’t think that way. Two sisters living in harmony is what people admire,” my father added
disapprovingly.
I took a sip of milk and looked at them. “Excuse me, but have I said that I mind anything?”
They all froze.
。
“Sister, I really don’t want to steal your spotlight. Please don’t be angry…” Celine said anxiously. Alex’s expression turned sour again
as he looked at me.
I smiled. “Sister, I hope you’re not overthinking things. I just woke up from a three–year coma, my brain isn’t fully functional yet. I really don’t have the energy to mind anything at all.”
Celine paused, feeling as though her efforts were being effortlessly deflected.
A
A
“As long as Rory doesn’t mind, that’s all that matters. Come on, Celine, let’s go upstairs with Mom and pick out a beautiful dress
and some jewelry to match.” My mother gently led her pitiable daughter away.
At the hotel ballroom, I looked at myself in the dressing room mirror. My body was thin and pale from the coma, but thankfully, I had almost reached my full height of 5’3” before the accident, so it hadn’t stunted my growth too much.
I opened the door and walked out, only to see Celine with Caleb, Julian, and Leo in
a
small side lounge.
“I really didn’t want to wear this dress. I think sister is a little upset, but Mom, Dad, and Alex all insisted…” Celine was saying.
“Why would Rory be upset?”
“Celine, you can’t always be the one to give in to your sister, you know?”
“You should wear what you want to wear. You can’t let others dictate your choices.”
They were all cooing over her.
23
“It’s okay. Sister was in a coma for three years because she was saving you all. She’s been a little resentful of me since she woke
up, probably because she thinks you’re all too nice to me.”
“So I just want to use this opportunity to show her that I won’t compete with her for anything. I will only be grateful to her and serve
her.”
“Today, my sister will be the most radiant and beautiful one here. I will happily be her green leaf, just a part of the background…”
Celine’s voice was so pitiful it could melt stone.
“Celine! Don’t be ridiculous. We’re good to you because you deserve it. Rory was in a coma for three years, her mentality is probably
still stuck in the past. She was always willful. You must have had a hard time at home.”
“It’s true Rory saved us, but she demanded money the day she woke up, as if she was afraid we wouldn’t be grateful. So you don’t
have to accommodate her for our sake.”
“Even though today is your sister’s party and the focus is on her, you are always our focus, Celine.”
I heard their words, let out a soft, contemptuous laugh, and walked away.
