They Chose Her Over Me, So I Chased My Own Future Chapter 04
Three days before I was set to depart, Mom called me downstairs to discuss something important.
When I reached the living room, the four of them–Mom,
Ronan, Sienna, and Damien–were all seated together waiting for me.
Mom cleared her throat. “School’s starting soon. Even though your campuses are both in the Northern Territories, you’re both young adults now heading off to university.”
She pulled two bank cards out of her purse. “This is four years of living expenses for each of you–one million apiece.”
Her gaze flicked over to me next. “You ought to thank
Malcolm. I’d only planned to give you one hundred
thousand, but he insisted we treat you both equally.”
I lifted my head, my voice a flat, emotionless monotone.
“Mhm.”
Silence stretched out, and I realized she expected me to
voice my gratitude out loud.
“Thank you.”
Everyone nodded in satisfaction, then Mom handed both
cards straight to Sienna. I stared, stunned.
Ronan hurried to explain. “You’ve always spent money recklessly growing up, unlike Sienna who’s careful with
finances. So for the next four years, you’ll submit requests
to Sienna whenever you need cash, and she’ll approve them.”
I stared at them all, utterly dumbfounded. “Excuse me? I
have to ask Sienna for permission to spend my own money?”
Damien jumped in to back them up. “Rhea, Meredith’s only.
doing this to fix your wasteful spending habits.”
My back went rigid. A hot flush of humiliation and
helplessness washed over me.
Wasteful spending habits? What habits?
Mom and Ronan seemed to have erased the last ten years
from their memories–ever since the day Sienna moved
into the pack house. I hadn’t received a single cent of
allowance since then. I took buses everywhere instead of
cabs to save every penny.
The trust card my birth father had left me had been given
to Sienna a decade ago, a welcome gift to mark her joining
the Silvermoon Pack. I’d never had any money to waste in
the first place.
Sienna tucked both bank cards safely away, then
sauntered over to stand in front of me. “Don’t worry, Rhea.
I won’t cut you off. I’ll help you break all those bad
spending habits of yours.”
When she turned her back to the others, her warm smile
dropped. She mouthed two words only I could see: You
lost again.
My hands trembled at my sides, a heavy suffocating
weight crushing my chest.
But I knew fighting back was useless. None of them would
ever take my side. I unclenched my tight fists and
surrendered.
It didn’t matter. The academy had promised a full
scholarship. I’d never go hungry, at the very least.
Mom and Ronan relaxed, their expressions softening
toward me.
Mom stepped forward and smoothed my hair down
gently. “That’s my good girl. As the older sister, you have
to look out for Sienna nonstop at school, understand? She
has severe asthma and gets flustered easily, so carry her
inhaler with you everywhere you go.”
I listened quietly, fully grasping what they’d arranged:
Sienna’s personal maid for all four years of college.
I nodded obediently. “I understand, Mom.”
Three days slipped by fast. On September 1st, they loaded
Sienna into the car to head for campus first, glancing back
at me with a sharp frown.
“Hurry up and catch up with us once you’re ready. We’re
going to tour the grounds first.”
“And don’t forget Sienna’s inhaler.”
I gave a soft hum of agreement, watching their car drive
away without a single ounce of sadness.
I spun around on my heel, grabbed my packed luggage,
and headed straight for the airport.
This time, I’d fought and won for myself. I was finally free
to chase the wide, free life I’d always dreamed of.