Chapter 2

"Madison!"

The door flew open and Jessica threw herself at me, giving me a solid hug.

She wore the light pink dress I'd just bought her last week. Her makeup was perfectly natural, making her look innocent and pure.

"Happy birthday."

I shivered and pushed her away.

"Madison, are you in a bad mood?"

Jessica's mouth turned down.

The smell of braised pork filled the house. The dining table was already set, with a space in the center reserved for the cake.

"Madison, I've been waiting for you all day."

Jessica's tone carried a hint of grievance.

"Mom said you had to work overtime. I thought you'd forgotten my birthday."

"How... how could I? Sorry, I've been really tired lately!"

I smiled stiffly while apologizing and looked around the living room.

Everything was exactly as I remembered—

The walls were covered with various artistic photos of Jessica from childhood to now.

My photos consisted of only a tiny family portrait in the corner, taken when I was in middle school.

My mother's favoritism was never hidden.

After Jessica was born, my mother suffered severe postpartum depression and almost strangled the baby in her crib.

Although she recovered, she always felt she owed her younger daughter, so she compensated with double the affection.

"Madison, guess what I'm wishing for?"

Jessica, her face lighting up again, leaned close to my ear.

I turned to look at her and suddenly remembered what she'd said before cutting the cake in my past life—

"I hope to become a famous journalist like my sister!"

Back then, I'd joked, "Saying your wish out loud means it won't come true."

Then the next second, my mother had shoved my face into the cake.

"How can you curse your sister like that?"

Now, Jessica's eyes sparkled as she looked at me, waiting for my answer.

"Sorry, I can't guess."

In the dining room, Nathan had already helped set out the plates and cutlery.

My mother turned off the TV, and the room suddenly became quiet.

"Make a wish! Make a wish!" Nathan laughed and cheered.

Jessica put her palms together and closed her eyes.

A few seconds later, she opened her eyes, took a deep breath, and blew out the candles.

"What did you wish for?" my mother asked indulgently.

Jessica glanced at me, then smiled and said:

"I hope—to become an outstanding journalist like my sister!"

Here it comes.

Word for word, just like my past life.

The smile on my mother's face faded a bit. She glanced at me, her eyes full of expectation. Expectation that I would say something.

Expecting me to encourage my sister as usual.

To say "You can definitely do it," or "You're much better than me."

Nathan was also watching me.

The room suddenly became terrifyingly quiet.

I picked up the knife, cut the first slice of cake, and handed it to her.

"Then work hard."

"Madison..."

Jessica froze, then her voice became somewhat aggrieved.

"Do you think I can't do it?"

My mother's face immediately darkened.

She slammed her cutlery down on the table with a bang.