Chapter 2

In this house, I paid the mortgage. I covered the utilities. I sent money for living expenses every single month.

Yet, on Christmas Day, I was the superfluous "outsider."

I took a deep breath, trying to suppress the bitter ache welling in my chest.

*Maybe it's a misunderstanding?*

*Maybe Kevin’s "outsider" referred to some other unwanted guest?*

My hand trembling, I dialed Mom's number.

The ringtone chimed a few times from inside the house, then was abruptly hung up.

Immediately after, a SnapChat message arrived.

**[Olivia, we're watching TV, and it's loud, so we can't hear. How much longer until you arrive? Drive safely, no rush.]**

A lie.

A complete and utter lie.

I was standing right outside the door. From inside, I distinctly heard energetic rock music, not a Christmas special.

And they definitely heard the phone ring; they just deliberately hung up.

My knuckles turned white as I clutched my phone. Still unwilling to give up, I pounded hard on the door.

"Dad! Mom! I'm home! Open the door!"

The music inside abruptly cut out for a second.

Then, Kevin’s cracking voice rang out.

"Seriously? Why is that freeloader here so early? Such a buzzkill."

Mom's hushed voice followed.

"Shh! Lower your voice! Don't let her hear you."

"Who cares if she hears! She just *had* to come back and annoy everyone on Christmas. She never considers if she's even wanted."

Kevin complained carelessly, but his footsteps were coming toward the door.

A sliver of hope sparked in my chest.

*At least they’ll open the door now, right?*

However, the footsteps stopped right at the door.

Through the thin wood, I heard Kevin's sneering laugh.

"Olivia, the password changed. You know how forgetful you are."

"What's the new password?" I asked, struggling to control my anger.

"The new password, huh…" Kevin drew out the words. "It's the sum of our family of three's birthdays. You can figure it out."

*A family of three.*

Dad, Mom, Kevin.

Sure enough, there was no place for me in this family.

My mind buzzed.

"Kevin, stop messing around. It's snowing heavily out here, and I'm freezing. Open the door!"

"If you're cold, just jump around a bit to warm up."

Kevin smirked. "Besides, Mom said the lock is a bit finicky; it takes a while to open. Why don't you stand outside and think about why you always have to come back and be annoying during the holidays?"

My eyes widened in disbelief.

*Reflect?*

*What did I do wrong?*

*Because I worked hard all year and just wanted to come home for a warm meal?*

Just then, my phone vibrated again.

The trending post had a new reply.

**OP: [That parasite knocking at the door is annoying, but listening to her shiver outside while we eat king crab inside feels amazing! Thanks for the tips, everyone!]**

The post included a photo taken through a peephole.

In the picture, I was covered in snow, looking disheveled, like a stray dog.

At that moment, all the blood in my veins turned to ice.

*It turned out the person who posted about a "parasite" in the family was my own brother, Kevin!*

*And that "parasite," mocked by the entire internet, with suggestions to freeze her for two hours until she leaves?*

*That was me.*