<
between my past life and this one. Even if I
didn’t antagonize Olivia, they would still find a
way to blame me. All it took were a few tears,
and her wrongs became mine. How pathetic.
My birthday arrived quickly. Dad presented
me with my gift: the violin I’d always wanted.
It was a bit expensive for our family, so my
parents had always hesitated to buy it. Mom
smiled encouragingly as she gestured for me
to open it. I took out the violin,
expressionless, not missing the flash of envy
in Olivia’s eyes. Dad took the opportunity to
give me a fatherly lecture. “Lizzie, we haven’t
forgotten about you. We still love you.” Mom
patted my hair affectionately. “Yes, Lizzie,
see? We even bought you the violin you
wanted. It’s just that Olivia isn’t well, so we
need to give her a little extra attention. You
should be more understanding and take care
く
of Olivia, be a good example for Nathan,
okay?” Before I could respond, Olivia gasped,
drawing everyone’s attention. Realizing all
eyes were on her, she covered her mouth
apologetically, her eyes filled with
manufactured longing. “Mom and Dad are so
good to Lizzie. I’ve never even seen a real
violin before. I’ve only seen them on TV… I’m
so envious. No one ever buys me anything like
that.” “They always say it’s a waste of money
for girls to learn these things. I’m so jealous
of Lizzie.” Olivia’s mournful act triggered my
parents‘ sympathy. Just like in my past life,
Mom took the violin from me and handed it
straight to Olivia. Dad said the exact same
words as before. “Since Olivia feels that way,
Lizzie, be generous and let her have the
violin.” Olivia clutched the violin, her voice
soft. “Really, Lizzie? Is it okay?” Before I
could agree, Mom made the decision for me.
<
“Of course, it’s okay. Olivia is family, too.” In
my past life, this was how Olivia took my
violin, and my parents told me to let her have
it, promising to get me a better one later. I
refused to give in and fought with Olivia, only
to be scolded and have my allowance cut off.
Why should she get my birthday present just
because she put on a pitiful act? Didn’t I
want it, too? I looked up and asked the
question I’d always wanted to ask in my
previous life. “Why do you have to give her
my birthday present? Can’t you just buy her
another one?” They didn’t see the injustice of
- it. Instead, they reprimanded me. “Money
doesn’t grow on trees, Lizzie! This violin was
already expensive! We can’t afford another
one. Can’t you share with Olivia?” “You’ve
become so selfish! Olivia has already been
through so much; you should be more caring
towards her.” I stared at them for a few
