I had always been the youngest and supposedly most cherished child in the Harper family. Ever since I was little, my parents loved to say, "Megan gets first pick of everything." My older brother, Derek Harper, and my older sister, Lauren Harper, spoiled me too. So I gave them the same love in return. Whenever anything happened in the family, I was always the first to step in. Last year, when my mom was hospitalized with a sudden illness, I took 1 month off work and stayed at her bedside day and night. The year before that, when my dad wanted a new car, I transferred the down payment without a second thought. Today, I wasn't feeling well, so I left work early. On the subway, I came across a trending post titled 10 Signs Your Family's Love Is Fake. The top comment read: A: They act like you're the family favorite, but their affection is just bait. They want the gullible daughter to keep paying for everything and doing all the work. I almost laughed. 'Who even plays favorites like that anymore?' Then I opened the poster's profile and saw a familiar painting in the background. It was the award-winning piece Lauren had shown off at home countless times. With a growing sense of unease, I pushed open our front door. The study door wasn't fully closed, and my mom's voice floated through the gap. "George, you were right. Our oldest is useless, and our middle child only thinks about herself. But our youngest is gullible enough to give us her whole heart as long as we show her a little affection. We have to keep Megan happy. Then our retirement is secure. She is the only one who has ever put money into the family account. Derek's and Lauren's transfer screenshots are fake. She never checks." Without making a sound, I recorded the rest of the conversation on my phone, backed away from the door, and canceled the recurring transfer from my payroll account. Then I returned to the office and applied for the Valoria Overseas Project. If their love was an act, I was done playing my part.