A Family’s Unfair Preference Chapter 01
Stepping out of the bathroom, I was shivering uncontrollably from the cold.
I had purposely taken a cold shower. As long as I caught a fever by tomorrow, I wouldn’t have to go to the family photoshoot.
Looking at my decades-younger reflection in the mirror and the project application on the desk that I had once abandoned, my gaze grew resolute.
In my past life, my adopted sister Elin Rae had booked a famous online photographer on a whim for a family portrait.
It was my first family photoshoot since being brought back to the family.
I had looked forward to it for so long, even wearing the most expensive, precious outfit I had brought with me from the orphanage.
But when the photos were printed, I—who had been standing in the corner—was completely photoshopped out.
All because Elin had casually remarked, “Sister’s vibe just doesn’t match the rest of the family. The portrait looks so weird.”
Back then, I foolishly tried to stand up for myself, only to be branded as someone with no taste who embarrassed the Harts.
It took dying once for me to finally see things clearly.
Just like that family portrait without me, there was never a place for me in this house.
Why should I go out of my way to humiliate myself?
This time, I simply wouldn’t go.
Just as I had planned, I woke up the next day with a fever so high I didn’t even have the strength to get out of bed.
Through my dizzy haze, I heard someone push open my bedroom door.
Mom frowned. “I’ve called you several times. Why haven’t you come down for breakfast?”
“We have the family photoshoot today. Don’t hold everyone up just because of you!”
I coughed weakly.
“Mom, I don’t feel so well.”
Only then did Mom notice my unnaturally flushed face. She reached out to feel my forehead, and it was burning hot.
“You were perfectly fine. How did you suddenly catch a fever?”
“Your sister went through so much trouble to book that photographer!”
Standing nearby, Elin feigned regret. “Mom, don’t blame her. I’m sure she didn’t do it on purpose.”
“Why don’t we reschedule? We can’t just do the photoshoot without her…”
I calmly cut her off.
“It’s fine. Don’t worry about me, you guys go ahead without me.”
Mom froze for a moment, as if she couldn’t believe her ears.
“Haven’t you been looking forward to this family portrait?”
I looked at her face, so similar to mine, and only found it laughable.
So she knew all along how much I looked forward to taking a family portrait.
Then why, in my past life, when I got angry about being Photoshopped out, did she call me petty?
It was simply a lack of love, so my feelings didn’t matter at all.
I repeated what I had just said.
“It’s fine, don’t worry about me. You guys just go ahead and take the photos.”
Mom, however, suddenly grew a bit irritated.
“Fine, you said it yourself. When we actually finish taking them, don’t throw a tantrum!”
She pulled Elin away and left. Not once did she stop to check on me.
Lying in bed, staring at the pristine white ceiling, I remembered how right before I died in my past life, I was just as lonely, lying all alone in a hospital bed.
Even after finding my birth parents, even after marrying and having kids, I was still the awkward, unwanted Zora Hart.
So, Mom, Dad, in this life, I won’t throw any more tantrums.
I’ll step aside and let you three be a happy family, okay?