They Loved My Sis More, So I Got Oxford

Chapter 3

An awkward silence fell over the dinner table.

Jason stared at the itinerary in his hand, sighed heavily, and looked up at me with a hint of guilt.

"Sienna, we've spent almost all our savings this summer on tuition for you and Wendy, plus the family vacation we planned for Wendy. That's why we only bought three business-class tickets.

"You've always been independent and capable, haven't you? For your trip to college, just take the regular train.

"It's only a little over 10 hours. Think of it as a chance to build your endurance. It might even help you prepare for the Freshman Challenge Program once school starts."

I looked at the three thin plane tickets in his hand.

A bitter, almost absurd feeling rose in my chest.

Ellen sat beside me, rummaged through her wallet, and pulled out a wrinkled $100 bill.

"Sienna, food on the train is expensive. Take this. Buy yourself something warm to eat, okay? Don't skip meals, and remember to drink water."

The moment she finished speaking, she picked up her phone, opened PayPal, and transferred $2,000 to Wendy.

"Wendy, the weather down there is completely different from here. Once we arrive, I'll take you shopping for some new clothes."

"Thanks, Mom!"

Wendy immediately wrapped her arms around Ellen's arm, smiling brightly.

Then she turned to me, draped an arm around my shoulders, and put on an exaggeratedly sweet voice.

"Aw, that's so unlucky for you. But don't worry. Once you finally get there after that 10-hour train ride, I'll treat you to a huge seafood feast to make it up to you. I promise."

I calmly took the $100 bill and slipped it into my pocket.

"Okay."

It was a sunny day when we departed.

The entire house was filled with excitement.

Wendy wore a brand-new sundress and happily chatted away as she directed Jason to carry her luggage.

Ellen stayed by her side the entire time, fussing over her and reminding her again and again not to forget anything.

I said nothing.

I simply picked up Wendy's heavy suitcase and carried it downstairs to the Uber waiting outside.

"Sienna, be careful on the way there. Remember to text us when you arrive, okay?"

Ellen rolled up the window before she even finished speaking and waved at me casually.

Jason, sitting in the passenger seat, was already urging the driver to hurry, worried they would miss their flight.

I stood there silently, watching the car disappear toward the airport.

Then I looked back at the house where I had lived for 18 years.

A place that had never truly felt like home.

I looked away, took the subway to the airport, and walked straight to a check-in counter on the opposite side of the terminal, far from where my parents were departing.

The economy cabin was packed.

Passengers squeezed into narrow seats while conversations, rolling suitcases, and the constant movement around me created a suffocating sense of chaos.

The stale smell of sweat hung heavily in the air.

Just before takeoff, I was about to turn off my phone when Wendy's latest i********: post appeared on my feed.

Wendy: Finally arriving in the warm, spring-like city down south! So happy I get to be here with Mom and Dad! College life, here I come!

The photo showed a family of three posing in the airport arrivals hall.

Wendy looked like a sheltered princess, smiling brightly between my parents, who looked at her with nothing but affection.

I tapped open the comments.

Our relatives had already filled the post with messages.

Relative A: Wendy is so pretty! What a happy family you all are.

Relative B: It's so sweet seeing your whole family together! By the way, why isn't Sienna with you?

Jason replied almost immediately.

Jason: Sienna has always been independent, so I asked her to take the train by herself. It's good for building resilience. Young people need to experience some hardship to grow.

I let out a cold laugh and held down the power button until the screen went dark.

They had no idea that by then, I was already sitting on a plane bound for Euravia.

And with every passing second, I was putting more distance between myself and them.