Real Daughter's Revenge novel Chapter 2

My room was at the very end of the third floor–a converted storage closet.

The moment I opened the door, I froze.

It was barely 20 square meters. There was a single bed, a simple wardrobe, and a desk. That was

1. it.

The paint on the walls was peeling, and the window looked out over the backyard’s trash collection area, carrying a faint, unpleasant smell.

I’d passed Lena’s room on the way up, her door wide open. Inside, I saw a pink princess bed, an entire wall of walk–in closets, and a little balcony overflowing with flowers.

The contrast couldn’t have been clearer.

The maid, Macy, stood in the doorway. “Ms. Jessica, Mrs. Fraser said you’ll have to make do here for now. In a few days, you’ll be moved to another room.”

I smiled. “No need to move me. This is fine. It’s quiet.”

Macy hesitated, wanting to say something, but finally left without another word.

I closed the door and opened my suitcase.

There weren’t many clothes inside–mostly books and notebooks.

On top was my college entrance exam transcript–top ten in the state.

I earned that score with my blood, sweat, and tears.

My foster parents never gave me a cent for tutoring; I had to fight for everything myself.

I got up at four in the morning to study, didn’t sleep until midnight, and spent weekends working in restaurants to cover expenses.

The efforts paid off–I got into MIT.

From what I’d heard, Lena spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on tutors and still only managed a mid–tier college.

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10:54

The irony was almost poetic.

At 10 p.m., I went downstairs for some water and overheard voices coming from the study.

11

‘…Jessie’s personality is so cold. I’m worried she won’t get along with Lenny,” Rhonda said.

“Lenny’s heart can’t handle stress. Maybe Jessie should live at school?” Nolan suggested.

“I think that’s a good idea,” Bernard agreed immediately. “Lenny’s been unstable lately. Having Jessie around is just asking for trouble.”

I stood outside, listening to my birth parents and brother discuss how to get rid of me.

Their reason? I might upset the fragile heart of the fake heiress.

What a joke.

I pushed the door open. “No need to discuss it. I’ll move out myself.”

All three turned to look at me, each with a different expression.

Rhonda panicked. “Jessie, you’ve got it all wrong. That’s not what we meant!”

“I didn’t get it wrong,” I cut her off.

“You’re worried I’ll make Lenny’s condition worse, so you’d rather I live at school.

“That’s reasonable. I agree.”

Nolan frowned. “Jessie, are you angry?”

My tone was calm. “No. I just think your suggestion is a good one.

“I’m an outsider here. I shouldn’t be interfering with your happy family of four.”

“What outsider!” Rhonda blurted out. “You’re my real daughter!”

“Oh?” I nodded. “Then why didn’t you say, ‘Let Lenny live at school so she doesn’t upset Jessie“?”

Rhonda was speechless.

Bernard was annoyed. “Jessica, can’t you be a little more understanding? Lenny’s in poor health. Can’t you cut her some slack?”

I looked him in the eye. “Bernard, my foster dad, was a gambler. One time, he lost so badly that he put a knife to my throat and made me borrow money from loan sharks.

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10:54

“I was sick with a high fever at the time. Guess who cut me some slack?”

Bernard fell silent.

I went on, “No one did. So I learned something-

“In this world, no one is obligated to cut anyone slack.

“Lena’s health is her problem. What does it have to do with me?”

“How can you be so cold–blooded!” Bernard slammed his hand on the table.

“Cold–blooded?” I laughed.

“Lena stole my place for 18 years, and I’m cold–blooded for telling the truth?”

“What about you?”

“Your real daughter comes home and you immediately plot to send her away–what does that make you?”

The study went dead silent.

I turned and walked out. “Don’t worry. I’ll move out tomorrow. That way, I won’t be an eyesore.”

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