I Cancelled My Dream School To Escape Their Justice Chapter 08

I Cancelled My Dream School To Escape Their Justice Chapter 08

Sophie froze, clutching her cheek as she stared at Mom in disbelief.[]

“Dad–she hit me-for Nora-”

She cried out, just like she always had. But no one answered.

My parents were already packing frantically.

“Harvard is so far away. Book the next flight. Today’s her first day. Let’s buy her all the essentials. We’ll drive through the night-we can be at Harvard by tomorrow.”

My dad even posted my Harvard acceptance on his Instagram.

Dad: [So proud of my daughter-Harvard bound[straight to Harvard R, “I Harvard”.

“L,

ride, too!]

*

Harvard” BE]! And for the record, she was the state’s top student. Full

They rushed out the door, leaving Sophie behind.

Just like they used to leave me.

This time, the game of fairness had finally turned on her.

At Harvard’s freshman assembly, I had been chosen to speak at the first-year welcome event.[1

残留,]

The auditorium was packed with students and professors. I stood in the spotlight, in a dress I’d bought with my scholarship money. No stumbling. No nerves. My analysis was rigorous enough to draw approving nods from several faculty members. [ Harvard fluent English “X 汇报”的中国视角;2 solid data 不等于原文“严密的数据模型”;3elderly professors 是“老教授”的机械翻

译,英语不会把教授年龄作为赞许权威的重点]

When I finished, the applause was thunderous. I smiled, thanked the audience, and walked

offstagel bowed 是亚洲/中文校园仪式动作残留].

Backstage, a hand grabbed my wrist-hard enough to bruise.

I turned, frowning.

It was my parents. And Liam.

They looked anxious, almost ingratiating| nervous flattery 不自然,是“忐忑不安,带着小心翼翼的讨

7″]. “Nora, why didn’t you tell us you changed your application to Harvard? You came all this

way alone–you must have struggled. Do you have enough money? Let us send you more.”

They were trying to act normal, but the guilt showed.[“UE, RAN, ”

写]

I felt nothing. No satisfaction. No joy. Just disgust at an apology that had come years too late.

“I already said I wouldn’t compete with my sister. Why are you still here?”

They fell silent.

Liam stepped forward, awkward. “Nora-”

“Don’t call me that. We’re broken up. Stop harassing me, or I’ll call security.”

I kept my face cold.

The senior students nearby had heard most of the conversation. Smart enough to piece it together,

they stepped in with warm smiles, pulled my parents away, and made excuses to get me out of

there.

For the next four years, my parents kept finding excuses to come see me. Liam kept making new

accounts to add me. I never replied.

But plenty of people at school knew my story and they helped keep them away.

My parents rarely saw me after that. Guilt and whatever scraps of affection they still had made it too

hard.

They sent money to my account every month.

I never touched a cent.

I saved up scholarship money through college and applied to study abroad right after graduation.

The day I left, my mom called. Her voice was old and tired.

“Nora, if I hadn’t given your graduation party away to Sophie… would you still hate us?”

I smiled.

“You didn’t just give away my party. Remember those shoes I wore for four years? You bought them. Every step I took, my feet hurt and bled. Now I’m wearing shoes I bought myself-and

walking my own path.”

I hung up.

Looking at the sunlight through the plane window, I felt the weight of all those years of bitterness and resentment finally lift.

From now on, I’d buy myself as many shoes as I wanted.

And I’d never play their game of “fairness” again.