They Loved My Sis More, So I Got Oxford

Chapter 2

Early the next morning, the three of them dressed in bright summer clothes, put on their sunglasses, and happily prepared to leave for their vacation.

Before Ellen stepped out the door, she casually pointed toward the kitchen.

"Sienna, don't forget to wash the dishes in the sink."

Then she pulled a three-page printed list from her bag and placed it on the shoe cabinet.

"This is the list of supplies Wendy needs for college. Make sure her bedding is pure cotton, and get her some high-end toiletries. Understood?

"We'll be too busy enjoying our vacation to take care of this. Get everything on the list within the next few days. Make sure Wendy has everything she needs before college starts."

The moment the door closed, the house fell silent.

I walked into the kitchen and looked at the mountain of dirty dishes and cookware piled in the sink.

A bitter smile crossed my face.

Every time they went out to enjoy themselves, I was the one left behind to clean up after them.

After finishing the kitchen, I picked up the long shopping list and left the house.

August was unbearably hot.

The air felt heavy and suffocating, as if the heat itself could burn through my skin.

With a heavy canvas bag on my shoulder, I squeezed through the crowded wholesale market.

The strap dug into my shoulder, leaving a deep red mark. Under the blazing sun, the injuries from last summer began to sting again.

But I was used to enduring it.

I ducked into a small shop to rest and took out my old phone.

The moment I connected to the internet, a new message appeared in the family group chat.

It was a photo Ellen had sent.

In the picture, the three of them were sitting in an expensive seaside restaurant.

A huge lobster sat in the center of the table, and Wendy held up one of its claws, posing with a peace sign for the camera.

The caption read:

My baby girl has worked so hard preparing for her exams these past few months. This is her reward!

Below the photo were countless likes and comments from relatives, all praising how happy and loving our family was.

I stared at the cheerful messages on the screen for a moment, then quietly locked my phone.

Not once did anyone ask if I had eaten.

Not once did anyone wonder if I had collapsed under the 104°F heat.

For 3 days, I relied only on myself, carrying every single item from that three-page list back home.

*****

A few days later, they returned from vacation with their hands full.

Shopping bags filled the living room.

Ellen had bought Jason an expensive designer belt and treated herself to a luxurious silk scarf.

For Wendy, she had purchased a beautiful pearl necklace with smooth, glowing pearls.

Even every relative in the family had received a carefully prepared gift box.

Wendy stood in front of the mirror for a long time, admiring the necklace around her neck.

Then she noticed me standing nearby.

As if she had only just remembered, she quickly opened her suitcase.

After searching through it for a while, she pulled out a cheap plastic shell bracelet and placed it in my hand.

"Sienna, I picked this out specially for you at the beach.

"The seller said these shells came from the deep sea! It'll look great on you. Try it on."

Ellen watched from the side with a gentle smile.

"See how thoughtful Wendy is? She was on vacation and still remembered to bring you something.

"Sienna, go check everything you bought for Wendy one more time.

I looked down at the cheap plastic bracelet in my hand.

After everything I had done for Wendy, this was all she had thought to bring back for me.

I looked up with a smile and tightened my grip on the bracelet.

"Thanks."

Then I returned to my tiny room, the one that had once been nothing more than a storage closet.

As soon as the door closed, I dropped the bracelet into the trash.

That was where it belonged.

All of them were so disgusting.

That night at dinner, Jason pulled a printed itinerary from his briefcase and placed it on the table.

"The flights are booked. We're leaving first thing tomorrow to take Wendy to Southvale University."

My eyes moved to the paper.

I scanned the details carefully.

There were only three tickets.