I should have been heartbroken, but I must have gotten used to it because I felt nothing when I heard those words now.
“I’m not mad.”
My words made everyone turn to me in surprise. They must have thought it was impossible.
I took in their expressions, feeling the irony.
See? Even they knew what they had done was enough to make someone angry, but they had done it anyway. They even had the nerve to blame me for how I was feeling.
Mom, Dad, and Adrian seemed to sense something was off with how calm I was.
After a brief silence, Dad finally said, “It’s good to know you’re not mad. We’re family; we shouldn’t hold grudges over things like this.”
“Mm, I know.” I nodded obediently.
Seeing that I really didn’t seem to mind, they relaxed and led Nina to the dining area.
Aside from the garlic shrimp I made, the table was filled with all kinds of seafood. They were all Nina’s favorites.
“Nina, you’ve lost so much weight. Eat up.”
Mom, Dad, and Adrian barely stopped serving Nina food. Soon, her plate had turned into a small mountain.
She beamed as she continued boasting about her studies abroad, talking about how she had already secured a spot in an orchestra and would soon be performing.
Mom, Dad, and Adrian showered her with praise while I ate in silence.
Noticing how unusually quiet I was, Mom seemed to feel a little guilty and finally thought about the grievance I had suffered.
A shrimp landed on my plate.
I looked up and saw Mom shift awkwardly. “Eat up. Don’t think we’re always favoring Nina. I got you some too.”
I stared at the shrimp for a long time before putting down my utensils. “It’s alright. I’m already full.”
Feeling embarrassed, Mom was irritated. “What’s with you?”
She wanted to say more, but Nina suddenly clutched her throat, her expression changing.
“Mom… I… I can’t breathe!”
