My Birthday, My Downfall novel Chapter 12

As I returned to my room, I passed by the tightly locked door. My parents had warned me countless times not to go in there.

This only heightened my curiosity.

I opened the door.

What greeted me were pink curtains, a princess bed, a fluffy carpet, and plush toys scattered everywhere.

Every corner seemed to radiate warmth, showing how cherished the room's owner must have been.

I stood rigidly at the doorway, staring at Xena's room, feeling like a rat in the gutter peeking at someone else's happiness.

"What are you doing?"

Aunt's voice suddenly rang out, making me flinch in surprise.

"Go!" she demanded.

Realizing I couldn't hear her, she struggled to point at the room at the end of the hallway, signaling for me to go back to my own room.

I quickly nodded and left. The confused look on Aunt's face made me feel uneasy, like a sharp thorn poking at my back.

At dinner, my parents indeed brought up the matter.

"Did you go to Xena's room today?" Mom quickly gestured.

I nodded.

She furrowed her brow, looking serious. "Don't ever go there again."

"Why?" I couldn't help but ask the question that had been on my mind.

For a moment, there was a flash of guilt in her eyes. Then, she gestured quickly: "That's your cousin's room. She doesn't like anyone entering."

"Why did you spend so much money?" Mom suddenly recalled a hospital bill and gestured in sign language.

I forced a smile. "It’s for cosmetic surgery. I got my nose job. It’s the latest technique, so it’s more expensive."

"No recovery period required."

Mom carefully examined my face, then mumbled, "You really are vain, throwing away your foster parents for money. You're just a cold-hearted ingrate."

I pretended not to hear, burying my head in my food. A bitter taste filled my mouth, and my heart ached as though it had been cut open with a knife.

Her fingers flew over the keys, and beautiful music spilled from her fingertips.

I stood frozen, staring at the person before me, who seemed like a princess straight out of a fairy tale. I suddenly realized how true Aunt’s words were.

We really were like clouds in the sky and dirt on the ground.

Seeing us, she smiled brightly, then ran over and leaped into Mom’s arms, coquettishly saying, "I missed you so much, Mom."

I lowered my head and stared at my rough, dark, calloused hands, a result of years of hard labor.

An overwhelming sense of inferiority and awkwardness washed over me, and instinctively, I hid my hands behind my back.

I wished I could just vanish into the ground and never return.

"Is this your sister?" She raised an eyebrow, her gaze piercing, and I saw a hint of hostility in her eyes.

Mom waved dismissively, signing, "This is your cousin, here especially to see you."

Turning to Xena, she added, "Don't worry about her. Sweetheart, you’ll have your surgery soon!"

The two of them continued chatting and laughing, completely ignoring me behind them.