The Girl My Family Ignored Became the Warrior They Could Never Reach Chapter 01

The Girl My Family Ignored Became the Warrior They Could Never Reach Chapter 01

As we sat together discussing where to travel, my cousin Celine tapped a spot in the travel brochure.

“I want to go to Valemont Lake.”

Then she turned to my brother, Liam, who was absorbed in a video game.

“Where do you want to go, Liam?”

Liam did not even look up. “Anywhere is fine.”

Celine smiled brightly before turning to Evan Sinclair, my Alpha boyfriend.

“What about you, Evan?”

Evan gave her an indulgent smile.

“Wherever you want. I’ll handle the planning.”

I looked at Evan, but he had already lowered his head and started researching the trip.

No one asked where I wanted to go. Even he had forgotten his promise to take me to the ocean.

Ever since Celine came to stay with my family in Moonveil Pack, everyone had told me that she deserved our sympathy and that I needed to give in to her.

Only Evan had ever told me, “Everyone else keeps asking you to give in to her, but I never will.”

He used to bring me breakfast from his house, buy me a glare-free desk lamp, and walk me through homework problems.

“We’ll go to Silvermoon Academy together and get far away from here. Then you’ll never have to give in to anyone again.”

But yesterday, when I logged in to confirm everything, I discovered that my admission offer from Silvermoon Academy had been declined, and my enrollment at Blackwood Academy had been confirmed instead.

I immediately undid the changes and raced to find Evan, only to overhear him talking to Liam.

“Have you really decided to turn down Silvermoon Academy and stay here? What about Rhea?”

“Yeah. Celine said she wanted the four of us to stay together, so I switched Rhea’s enrollment too.”

“Rhea and I are going to be mates someday anyway. I’ll make it up to her over time. She can give Celine this one.”

From that moment on, I decided not to tell him that I had switched my enrollment back to Silvermoon Academy. I was also done letting him have any part in my future.

…

The three of them were soon engrossed in an animated discussion. Feeling out of place, I got up to get some water from the kitchen.

Mom was directing the household staff as they prepared dinner. When she saw me, she asked, “Did you decide where you’re going?”

I looked down and fiddled with the herbs in a basket.

“They’re still deciding.”

“I see.” She sounded rather pleased as she continued, “The staff went to the butcher first thing this morning. Look at the marbling on that cut.”

“I see.”

I set the herbs beside her and noticed the pork belly already cut into chunks on the board.

Each piece had seven distinct bands of meat and creamy fat. It really was a beautiful cut.

I turned on the faucet and washed my hands.

“And these shrimp are as fresh as they come.”

One glance was enough for me to understand.

They were for Celine.

I shut off the water and opened the refrigerator.

“Mom, I’d like some savory baked egg custard. I can make it myself.”

“We’re out of eggs. Maybe next time.”

I let go of the refrigerator door and gave a bitter smile.

Celine loved meat and could have it until she was sick of it. Two days ago, she casually complained that the meat was too lean, so Mom got up early this morning to find the best-marbled cut she could.

I wanted savory baked egg custard, but I kept waiting and waiting.

“Give me a hand with the prep.”

“Okay.”

By the time dinner was ready, the three of them had finally settled on a destination. Celine happily announced that we were going to Valemont Lake, and naturally, Mom and Dad had no objections.

Only then did Celine seem to remember I existed. After a slight pause, she said, “Rhea, I’m sorry. We got so caught up in the planning that we forgot to ask what you wanted. Where would you like to go?”

I looked around the table. Every person there had already agreed on Valemont Lake.

I knew that no matter what I said, they would find some reason to reject it.

I lowered my head and took a large bite of food, trying to swallow past the lump in my throat.

“I don’t mind.”