Chapter 35

They were always telling me that, if I played nice with Ashley, things would go easier for me.

But here was the thing. Ashley’s parents were gone, and mine were still around, but they chose to ignore me over her. So, what made my life any different from an orphan?

It was Christmas. I was in the kitchen filling up a pot with water when Ashley strutted in, all dressed up in her newest dress. “Grace, do you think this dress looks good on me?”

I ignored her and tried to move past her.

But she wasn’t having it. She latched onto my arm from behind. “I’m waiting for an answer.” I frowned, trying to pull

away.

She grabbed my other hand, splashed herself with the hot water, and then let out a scream. “Please no Grace!”

“What are you doing?!” I asked her.

“Who do you think Mom’s going to believe, you or me?” Ashley smirked, and right on cue, my mom walked in and saw the whole thing, just the way Ashley had set it up.

“Grace, if you’ve got an issue, you come to me,” my mom said, her voice heavy with disappointment. “Why would you do this to Ashley?”

Ashley was all teary–eyed, playing the victim. “Mom, please don’t be mad at Grace. It’s my fault.”

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jealous of Ashley? You know we have family coming over,

and think about what you’ve done. Ashley, go change, and we’ll all head out for dinner.

she was about to cry, and my mom was right there, soothing her with gentle words and a soft touch. I used to feel that warmth, but it

they had just looked a little closer, only looked at me for a moment,

happy little family of four, without even

was leaving, Ashley shot me a triumphant glance, as if to say, ‘Grace, I’ve

for my mom’s Instagram to become a chronicle of Ashley’s adventures with our family, showcasing their delicious meals

for her, and they didn’t even

like I was the one who’d been forgotten. Before I died in my previous life, I posted something on Instagram too. “If you

all I got was being called a “Drama Queen“. Those tw words were

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Chapter 35

a second thought.

1288 Vorchers

years

and the absence of constant conflict with Ashley

release of tension and frustration brought by the absence of conflict with Ashley had a profound impact on

energized each morning.I was able to focus more on my studies and witness great improvements, while Ashley remained stuck in a cycle of average

she put into it, she couldn’t

my pace.

second semester of our senior year started,

would never come to mine, but I wanted to be

thought she would go, but she said, “Grace, you know Ashley has been struggling with her grades since her real parents passed away. We’ve already promised

didn’t. I never understood why they had a preference for her

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