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00:00Sous-titrage Société Radio-Canada
00:39Sous-titrage Société Radio-Canada
01:01Sous-titrage Société Radio-Canada
01:02Hearing that name again, I still froze for a moment.
01:04It had been six or seven years since anyone called me Ava.
01:07I turned to look at my brother Liam beside me and found that he had indeed become 12 again.
01:12The half-grown boy was looking toward the stairs with expectation all over his face.
01:16One hand was still tugging at my arm.
01:18I looked at his long, clean hand.
01:19But what came to my mind was the palm print he left on my face after he grew up.
01:24I frowned and shook him off at once.
01:25Liam froze and looked at me in confusion.
01:28Ava, what's wrong?
01:30The next second, the front door of the pack house slowly opened.
01:33My parents, Alpha Marcus and Luna Elaine's voices came over.
01:37Liam, Ava, come down quickly. We've brought your sister home.
01:40Liam's eyes lit up and he immediately left me behind and ran downstairs alone.
01:44I stood at the top of the stairs and looked at the happy family of four below.
01:47I reached out and pressed my hand over my heart.
01:50It was strange.
01:50Only a faint numbness remained.
01:52The sharp pain from before was gone.
01:54Liam and I were twins.
01:56For the first 12 years, the Blackwood family only had the two of us.
02:00And because we were boy-girl twins, everyone treated it like a blessing.
02:03Our parents and the elders in the pack spoiled us rotten.
02:06Liam was only two hours older than me.
02:08But he acted like a real big brother and always let me have my way.
02:11He spoiled me into a real little princess.
02:14Someone once joked with my father.
02:15With your daughter's temper, good thing she was promised to Caleb early
02:18or no one would dare marry her when she grows up.
02:20My father's face darkened at once.
02:22My daughter wasn't born just to be married off.
02:25If no one marries her, she can stay home forever.
02:27I can afford it.
02:28My mother and Liam said nothing and just kept giving me the best of everything.
02:32They spoiled me until I had no sense of limits.
02:35A hundred grand bracelet was the most ordinary birthday gift I received back then.
02:39It was also the last birthday gift I ever received.
02:42When I was 12, my father's beta died of illness.
02:45Before he died, he entrusted his only daughter to my father.
02:48That girl, Chloe Reed, became my sister in name.
02:51From then on, my family's love, trust, and attention slowly moved away from me.
02:56I admit I hated her.
02:57I was jealous of her.
02:58I was jealous that two tears from her could make the whole family panic.
03:02I was jealous that she took everything I had.
03:05Piece by piece, I became more and more stubborn.
03:08My temper also grew worse, more violent, and more strange.
03:11Finally, at my 18th birthday ceremony,
03:14I saw her kissing my promised mate, Caleb Stone, in the garden.
03:18I completely lost it.
03:20I questioned my parents, my brother, and the man I loved.
03:24Why are you doing this to me?
03:26But they only looked at me with almost the same disappointed eyes.
03:29Do you even know what you look like right now?
03:31You're acting like a lunatic.
03:32I laughed until tears came out.
03:34The pain in my chest made my whole body shake.
03:37I grabbed a knife and rushed at Chloe.
03:39But Liam kicked me into the rose bushes full of thorns.
03:42Everyone protected Chloe in a panic, comforting her and telling her not to cry.
03:46No one cared that what I was holding was only a plastic knife and fork for cutting the cake.
03:52My parents used my mental state as the reason and locked me in a psychiatric ward.
03:56I think Liam's kick had injured me.
03:58I coughed up blood day and night.
04:00Again and again, I begged the doctors to call my parents.
04:03But they never picked up one.
04:04Finally, after another round of shock treatment, I stopped breathing.
04:08And I saw the rumored soul shock.
04:10I used all my emotions, my ability to love, in exchange for one chance to be reborn.
04:19Ava, come on.
04:20Weren't you always saying you wanted a little sister?
04:22Chloe lifted her pale little face and called me in a sweet voice.
04:26Sister?
04:27But I didn't react.
04:28I turned around and went back to my room.
04:30Everyone was left in the living room, exchanging awkward looks.
04:38What's wrong with her now?
04:41Maybe she just isn't used to having a new sister at home yet.
04:44It's fine.
04:44I'll go talk to her later.
04:46Mom, Dad, does Ava not like me?
04:50No, no.
04:51Ava just has a temper.
04:52But she's not a bad girl.
04:54Don't cry.
04:54Don't be sad.
04:55I'll talk to her for you later.
04:58Liam is still the sensible one.
05:00You have to take good care of your sister.
05:01I kept drifting into my room.
05:03Once again, I thought the soundproofing in this pack house was really terrible.
05:07I didn't like it.
05:08It was noisy as hell.
05:09I simply stood up and started checking my things.
05:11Too much time had passed and I could no longer remember what I owned when I was 12.
05:15Now that I looked carefully, I was rich enough to shock even myself.
05:19No wonder Chloe loved stealing my things so much.
05:21Even the grown-up me couldn't help feeling a little jealous.
05:24I picked up the jewelry on my vanity and shoved it all into my school bag.
05:27If I didn't take it now, Chloe would soon ask for it in all kinds of ways.
05:30I looked at the high-quality bracelet in my hand and remembered how Chloe broke it in my last life.
05:35That was the first time I slapped her.
05:37She hid behind the door with red eyes, looking scared.
05:40Ava, I'm sorry.
05:41I really didn't mean to.
05:42I've never had anything like this before.
05:44I just wanted to have a look and I...
05:47I dropped it.
05:49Then she burst into tears and brought my parents and Liam running.
05:52That was the first time I lost control and hit someone and also the first time dad grounded me.
05:57Chloe clung to mom's leg, sobbing so hard she almost passed out.
06:00But she still found the time to look up and make a face at me.
06:03I pointed at her and tried to expose her.
06:05But the next second, Liam shoved me hard into my room.
06:09Ava, can't you have a little compassion?
06:11Chloe has been through enough.
06:13How can you still bully her?
06:14It's just one bracelet.
06:16You have more than you can count.
06:17What's wrong with letting her have it?
06:19I clenched my teeth and forced down the sob stuck in my throat.
06:22Just one bracelet?
06:24No.
06:24That was the birthday gift Liam bought me with the first prize money he ever won from a packed combat
06:29tournament.
06:29But he had forgotten starting that year.
06:32I never received another birthday gift again.
06:34Even the dolls, clothes, and jewelry that used to be sent to my room all the time.
06:38They all went to Chloe's room instead.
06:40All because she said,
06:41My classmates laugh at me.
06:43They say I'm small and skinny and I don't know how to dress.
06:48They say I'm nothing like Ava, who always looks so pretty and put together.
06:52They say I look like some dirty little stray.
06:55She was lying.
06:56Liam was the one who helped her turn the whole class against me.
06:59He knew.
07:00He knew better than anyone.
07:01But he didn't defend me.
07:02He just watched my parents grow more and more disappointed in me.
07:05And watched them favor that poor adopted daughter with a tragic past more and more.
07:10By the time I finished packing all my valuables, there was a soft knock on my bedroom door.
07:16Ava?
07:17Darling, come out for dinner.
07:20I didn't answer.
07:21I just opened the door and let her take my hand as we walked to the dining room.
07:25Chloe was sitting in my usual seat, looking stiff and nervous.
07:28Dad and Liam were both putting food on her plate.
07:30I turned to look at my mother.
07:33Am I supposed to eat dinner on the floor?
07:36Of course not.
07:37That's my fault.
07:38I forgot to have another chair brought in.
07:39Martha, get Ava a chair.
07:42Ava, I'm sorry.
07:43I didn't know this was your seat.
07:45I'll give it back to you.
07:48Ava, it's just a seat.
07:49Chloe just got here.
07:50Don't scare her.
07:51Fine, you can sit on my left.
07:52I'll sit between you two.
07:53Is that good enough?
07:54My parents didn't say anything and only watched my reaction.
07:57Wasn't that just silent approval?
07:58I gave a cold laugh in my heart.
08:00Really, so childish.
08:01This whole family acted like they were on stage, but their acting was awful.
08:06It killed my appetite.
08:07I took the chair from the housekeeper and dragged it straight to the far end of the table, away
08:11from all of them.
08:12Liam's hand paused while he was putting food on Chloe's plate.
08:15He looked like he wanted to say something several times, but in the end, he said nothing.
08:19The meal ended in that strange silence, but when I stood up to go upstairs, dad stopped
08:24me again.
08:25Dad looked a little awkward, then forced a smile.
08:29Ava, Chloe is a year younger than you and Liam.
08:32You two are her brother and sister, so you should give her more space.
08:35She just lost her parents and has been through a lot.
08:37We are her family now.
08:39We should take better care of her.
08:40That's right.
08:41I know you may not be used to having a younger sister yet, but look how lovely Chloe is.
08:45Spend more time with her and you'll become close very soon.
08:47They kept shooting looks at each other across the table.
08:50Clearly, neither of them wanted to be the first to say what came next.
08:53I was starting to lose patience.
08:57So?
08:58Mom froze at the question.
09:00Maybe she had never heard me speak to her in such a cold tone before.
09:03My father took a sip of tea and smiled.
09:06Ava, Chloe just transferred here and she isn't doing well physically or emotionally.
09:11You really don't feel comfortable leaving her alone.
09:13So, how about you and Liam both repeat a grade and go to school with her?
09:17Liam already agreed.
09:18We're just waiting for you.
09:20I looked at Liam.
09:21He lowered his head and didn't dare look at me.
09:23Here we go again.
09:24It was the same in my last life.
09:26Liam and I were already in 7th grade.
09:28They made us go back to 6th grade to keep Chloe company.
09:31A year later, Caleb had already gotten close to Chloe.
09:34He transferred into our class too, using the excuse that he wanted to take care of me.
09:38From then on, they put on little shows in class every day.
09:41They accused me of bullying Chloe and made the whole class shut me out.
09:45Great.
09:46Too bad I didn't want to play such a stupid game with little kids anymore.
09:49It was a waste of time.
09:51I tilted my head, my eyes full of confusion.
09:53Does she need two servants just to go to school?
09:57Ava, what did you just say?
09:59I said, since Liam has already volunteered to serve her, there's no need to force me to, right?
10:05Ava, what are you saying?
10:06Serve her?
10:07We just want you to spend more time together and get close sooner.
10:11I don't have any duty to get close to her.
10:13Whoever wants to get close to her can go serve her.
10:15I stared at Liam.
10:16Then it settled.
10:17You can go back to sixth grade, and I'll keep going to seventh.
10:20We stay out of each other's way.
10:23I turned and went upstairs.
10:25Behind me, they comforted Chloe, who was sobbing non-stop.
10:29After nine that night, Liam knocked on my door.
10:33Ava, are you asleep?
10:35What?
10:36Um, can you open the door?
10:38No.
10:38It went quiet outside for a long time.
10:41Just when I thought he had left, Liam's voice came again.
10:43Ava, you're upset, right?
10:46No.
10:47You are.
10:48Ava, is it because I only paid attention to Chloe today and ignored you?
10:52I was speechless.
10:53I really wasn't upset.
10:54I just didn't care.
10:56Dealing with them was so boring, it made me sick.
10:59The Ava Blackwood, who would fall into deep depression just because she was ignored, had already died alone in a
11:04psychiatric ward.
11:05I let out a breath.
11:07Really, no.
11:08Liam, you can do whatever you want.
11:09You can get close to whoever you want.
11:11I don't care, as long as you don't bother me.
11:13It went quiet outside the door again.
11:15After a while, his voice carried a trace of helplessness.
11:18Ava, Chloe really is pitiful.
11:22Look at her.
11:23She's so thin and small, and she has such a soft temper and a soft heart.
11:26I'm really afraid she'll get bullied.
11:28Ava, I'll go back and stay with her for one year first.
11:31Once she gets used to it, I'll transfer back to be with you, okay?
11:34Sure.
11:34The school was funded by your family anyway, so you could do whatever you wanted.
11:38I rolled my eyes and packed the last piece of clothing.
11:41Then I put in my noise-canceling earbuds and lay straight down on the bed.
11:45Early the next morning, I carried my suitcase and school bag into the living room.
11:50Everyone froze again.
11:51I looked up and saw Caleb sitting right beside Chloe.
11:54The moment he saw me, he quickly stood up.
11:56Ava, I'm here to take you to school.
11:58I lowered my eyes and saw Chloe's hand holding his arm.
12:01You don't need to pick me up anymore.
12:04Of course, if you want to pick someone else up, suit yourself.
12:08Why?
12:09I lifted my chin and motioned for him to look at the suitcase behind me.
12:13Chairs scraped against the floor one after another.
12:16Not only Caleb, but Dad, Mom, and Liam all looked confused.
12:20Liam stared hard at my suitcase with bloodshot eyes.
12:23Ava?
12:24What is that?
12:25Clothes and some daily necessities.
12:27And my jewelry.
12:28I forgot to tell you.
12:30Starting today, I'm boarding at school.
12:34Dad walked over with a cold face and half squatted in front of me.
12:37Ava?
12:38You want to board at school?
12:40Yes.
12:41Why?
12:42Is home not good enough?
12:43Did Mom and Dad upset you?
12:44I stayed silent.
12:45Dad's hand trembled a little as it rested on my hair.
12:48He hesitated, then turned back to look at Chloe.
12:51Is it because of Chloe?
12:52The moment he said that, before I could react, Chloe bit her lip and let out a muffled sob.
12:56Mom quickly stepped forward and pulled her into her arms, then shot Dad a blaming look.
13:00What are you saying?
13:01How could it be?
13:02Ava, tell us yourself.
13:03Why do you want to board at school?
13:05It's definitely not because of Chloe.
13:06You like Chloe, right?
13:07Everyone looked at me with expectation, waiting for my answer.
13:09They were waiting for me to say, yes, I liked her.
13:12That boarding at school was just me being spoiled and unreasonable, and that no one
13:15had wronged me.
13:16But I was always best at disappointing them.
13:18No.
13:18I don't like her.
13:20I hate her.
13:21And I don't only hate her.
13:22I hate Mom and Dad.
13:24I hate Liam.
13:25I hate Caleb.
13:26I hate all of you.
13:28In an instant, Mom, Dad, and Liam went pale.
13:31Caleb didn't react much.
13:32He seemed to think I was jealous, throwing a tantrum.
13:35And his eyes were full of patience and helplessness.
13:38When I dragged my suitcase past him, he even reached out to take it home.
13:41I dodged him.
13:42He didn't get angry and still followed me shamelessly.
13:45Mom and Dad wanted to chase after me, but Chloe's crying stopped.
13:48She tried harder and harder, her small face buried in Mom's arms, her whole body shaking.
13:54Mom, Dad, just send me to an orphanage.
13:56Ava doesn't like me.
13:57I don't deserve to stay in this family.
14:00Of course, Mom and Dad started comforting her again.
14:02But for some reason, Liam was unusually silent.
14:06Caleb was still following me closely.
14:08He forced his way into the car I got into.
14:10Go take your own car.
14:11Why?
14:12I don't want to.
14:13I want to be with you.
14:14He tilted his head and looked at me, acting like he had no shame at all.
14:18I suddenly remembered that it had been like this in my last life, too.
14:22When everyone pushed me away, the only one who hadn't sided with Chloe was Caleb.
14:26When Chloe framed me, he would stand firmly behind me.
14:29When Liam scolded me, Caleb would talk back for me.
14:32When my parents grew more and more disappointed in me, he would hold me and comfort me in a low
14:37voice.
14:37Ava, don't be scared.
14:39You still have me.
14:40I'll stay with you.
14:41If they like Chloe more, that's their business.
14:44I'll always only like my Ava.
14:45So I relied on him and trusted him with everything I had.
14:49Until the day Liam and I turned 14.
14:52Chloe suddenly fainted for no reason.
14:54Before anyone could react, Caleb pushed past me and caught her firmly in his arms.
14:58The seer he had personally brought stood in front of everyone at the birthday party.
15:03I have seen it.
15:04The child's name bears a curse.
15:06It devours Chloe's life drop by drop.
15:09That is why she sickened.
15:10What perfect timing for that seer to appear.
15:12But my parents still took me to change my name without another word.
15:16From that day on, the name I had carried for 14 years, Ava Blackwood, became a forbidden word in the
15:22pack.
15:22They called me Grace.
15:24As in, by the grace of moon goddess, let Chloe live.
15:27Grace sounded nice, but I hated it.
15:29Until the day I died, I hated it.
15:32I ignored Caleb.
15:33Sooner or later, he would transfer to Chloe's class anyway.
15:36I took my forms and boarding fee straight to the dorm supervisor.
15:39When Caleb saw that I really handed the money over, the careless look on his face finally disappeared.
15:44It seemed he finally realized that I wasn't throwing a tantrum.
15:47I truly just wanted to stay as far away from them as possible.
15:52Ava?
15:53Why do you hate me too?
15:54What did I do wrong?
15:56His fingers gently tugged at my sleeve, and his voice was careful.
15:59He looked nothing like the person who would one day wrap his hands around my neck and squeeze.
16:04But those scenes were still too clear in my mind.
16:07I shook his hand off hard.
16:09I pulled out a tissue and wiped my sleeve again and again.
16:13Caleb stared blankly at my face.
16:15Ava?
16:17The moment he met my disgusted gaze, he finally stopped talking.
16:20I quickly left the hallway.
16:21Then, before class started, I asked my teacher to transfer me to another class.
16:25By the end of first period, Caleb still hadn't shown up in class.
16:28When I carried a tall stack of books past the familiar hallway, I finally saw him standing there with red
16:33eyes.
16:33Caleb looked at the books in my arms, and his eyes grew even more hurt.
16:37He walked toward me in a few quick steps.
16:39Ava, don't switch classes, okay?
16:42But the next second, a basketball flew out of class B and hit him right in the head.
16:46I dodged it quickly with my books in my arms, then turned and walked into the classroom.
16:50Caleb fell onto the hallway floor.
16:52A boy in the classroom was still holding the shooting pose.
16:55Whoops.
16:56Didn't mean to hit anyone.
16:58You okay, man?
16:58I glanced at him.
17:00Then I carried my books past him.
17:01Maybe it was just my imagination, but his body seemed to go stiff for a second.
17:06Then he propped one hand on the edge of a desk, pointed casually at the seat beside him, and spoke
17:11in a cocky tone.
17:12If you go and sit at her back, you'll be sitting by the trash can.
17:15Want to sit next to me?
17:16I looked at him, but he quickly looked away.
17:19Well, the homeroom teacher said last period that a new student was coming, and as class president, I should take
17:26care of you.
17:26As he spoke, he rubbed his face and even rubbed his ears red.
17:30Class B's class president, Jace Carter, the famous troublemaker.
17:34The students around me were either laughing at the fallen Caleb, or secretly glancing at us.
17:39I sighed.
17:40Class B's bad reputation wasn't without reason, but I really didn't want to sit next to Caleb anymore.
17:46Thanks, but I like sitting by myself.
17:48I placed my books on the desk in the last row near the corner.
17:51Jace looked a little annoyed with himself, and his voice turned rushed.
17:53Hey, you- don't sit here. I'll switch with you.
17:56I'm taller than you, so I'll block your view of the board.
17:58Before I could refuse, Caleb rushed in with dust all over his face.
18:02He slammed one hand down on the books on my desk.
18:04Ava, come back with me!
18:06Let go.
18:07No.
18:08Dude, are you acting out some sad romance drama right now?
18:12She wants to stay in our class. What does that have to do with you?
18:15Someone at the door threw the ball back to Jace.
18:17He spun the basketball on one finger and looked at Caleb with open provocation.
18:22Caleb clenched his teeth, then lowered his head to look at me.
18:25Only then did he realize I had already started arranging my desk.
18:29Jace clicked his tongue.
18:30Why are you still here? The bell already rang.
18:32Caleb's hand tightened without him noticing.
18:35Ava.
18:36I frowned and said nothing. He finally gave up.
18:39He shot Jace a vicious look, then left while turning back every few steps.
18:43I let out a breath.
18:45Thanks.
18:45Hmm. Are you talking to me?
18:47Jace pointed at himself. I nodded.
18:49He suddenly stood up straight and threw the basketball into the trash can behind me.
18:53It looked like muscle memory.
18:55I stared at him in shock, not understanding what that was supposed to mean.
18:59Then I realized his face had turned even redder.
19:01Reflex. You're welcome.
19:03I couldn't help lowering my head and laughing.
19:05His movements went even stiffer.
19:07Jace still switched seats with me, even though I told him again and again.
19:11It was winter, and the trash was emptied often, so there was no smell.
19:14But he still firmly made me sit in front.
19:17You look like the tidy type, and you're a good student.
19:19How could I let you sit there?
19:20As if he had made up his mind to be a good class president,
19:23he handled everything for me as a transfer student.
19:25So when the teacher called us into the office and asked if I could help him improve his grades,
19:30I hesitated, then nodded.
19:32School life was dull, but full.
19:33Relying on the memories from my last life,
19:35I had already started quietly teaching myself high school courses.
19:38To go home less often, I signed up for all kinds of extra classes on weekends.
19:43Every school break, I simply enrolled in some overseas camps.
19:46Besides studying, I also started trying to see more of the world.
19:508 in the morning to 10 at night.
19:52More disciplined than most working adults.
19:54At first, mom and dad still came to school every few days to see me.
19:58Later, when they saw that I was always calm and distant, they came less often.
20:01Sometimes they called, and it was always about Chloe,
20:04who was becoming sweeter and lovelier.
20:06I didn't answer much, so they would sigh through the phone.
20:08Ava, we just want you sisters to get along.
20:11Chloe really misses you.
20:13Are you still not coming home this week?
20:15No.
20:16I spoke very little and often made the mood awkward.
20:18I didn't bother to smooth things over.
20:20I just hung up.
20:21They always said I was becoming more and more withdrawn.
20:23Not as likable as when I was little, but I knew.
20:26It had nothing to do with my personality.
20:28Withdrawn, not likable.
20:29Even when I cried and forced myself to smile,
20:31even when I was as pathetic as I had been in my last life,
20:34I still wasn't likable.
20:35It was like they were destined to hate me.
20:37Destined to step on my bones while showing off how much they favored Chloe.
20:40Luckily, I had lost my ability to love.
20:42So naturally, my heart no longer hurt because of them.
20:44Liam, however, still came every day without fail.
20:47He brought food packed from home and ran between the elementary and middle school campuses.
20:51Sometimes, Chloe would come with him, panting hard.
20:53The look she gave me was full of blame.
20:56Ava, this is exhausting for Liam.
20:59Why don't you come to our class instead?
21:01I didn't ask him to come, and I definitely didn't ask you to come.
21:04I took the food Liam brought and sat down to eat by myself.
21:07Chloe bit her lip, her eyes filling with tears as she looked at Liam.
21:10But Liam only wiped the sweat from his forehead and smiled with patience.
21:14It's not hard, Ava.
21:16I won't only care about Chloe and ignore you.
21:18If you don't want to go home, then don't.
21:20The school food isn't good.
21:21From now on, I'll bring you food from home every day.
21:23I ignored him, but he didn't get angry.
21:25Most of the time, he stood quietly with Caleb outside Class B's door.
21:29When I finished eating, he took the empty lunchbox and ran back to the elementary building.
21:33Caleb spoke much less now.
21:35He no longer insisted that I talk to him.
21:37Most of the time, as soon as class ended, he would run to the window and pretend to glance in
21:41my direction by accident.
21:43I pretended not to see any of it.
21:44Days passed like that, one after another, until the day before my 14th birthday.
21:48Mom and Dad showed up at school with Liam, which was rare.
21:51When they saw me, both of them seemed to freeze for a second.
21:54Mom held my arm with trembling hands and murmured,
21:57You've grown taller again.
21:59You're almost taller than me now.
22:01Sweetheart, you haven't come home in so long.
22:06That's right, Ava.
22:07Your birthday is tomorrow.
22:08We have already set everything up.
22:09Will you come home tomorrow?
22:10As if afraid, I would refuse.
22:12Liam quickly added,
22:13You can invite your classmates and friends, too.
22:15It'll be more fun with more people.
22:17You didn't come home for your birthday last year.
22:19We waited for you all night.
22:21Last year.
22:22Oh, on my birthday last year, I had no idea where Jace heard about it.
22:25He dragged the goofballs from our class out and insisted on taking me horseback riding.
22:29Ava, can you maybe loosen up a little?
22:31I looked at him in confusion.
22:32He used two index fingers to pull up the corners of his mouth.
22:36It's your birthday.
22:37Don't stay so tense all the time.
22:38Smile, little.
22:39He sat on a tall, chestnut horse and turned his head slightly to look at me under the sunlight.
22:43I tried to force out a smile.
22:44Maybe it looked terrible.
22:46The light in his eyes dimmed a little.
22:47Ava Blackwood, happy birthday.
22:50Yeah, thank you.
22:51I sat on the horse and listened to the wind rushing past my ears.
22:54I realized that the tight, heavy feeling in my chest seemed to be loosening a little.
22:57It wasn't until the next day that I saw the missed calls from the Blackwood and the gift
23:01boxes Liam brought to me, big and small.
23:04I was a little surprised.
23:05After all, I clearly remembered that my 12th birthday had been the last time I received
23:09any gift.
23:10Ava, come home tomorrow, okay?
23:13Liam was still trying to persuade me.
23:15But when I turned my head, I saw Caleb with Chloe clinging to his arm.
23:18That unforgettable renaming scene still made my stomach turn.
23:21I frowned without meaning to.
23:23Caleb hurriedly pulled his arm away.
23:26Ava, I looked for you for a long time.
23:28Chloe said you were here, so she brought me over.
23:31I, you don't need to tell me.
23:34I'm busy tomorrow.
23:35I already made plans, so I won't be going home.
23:37Ava!
23:38I turned and went back to class.
23:39Behind me came several shocked and hurt voices.
23:42Mom seemed to be crying.
23:43When I turned the corner, I heard a heavy sigh.
23:44Connor, did we do something wrong?
23:46I only found out much later how chaotic that day became.
23:49Right now, I was holding a cake knife and carefully cutting into the cake.
23:52My classmates had turned off the light.
23:54In the dim candlelight, everyone gathered around me and sang happy birthday.
23:57Ava, make a wish.
23:58I closed my eyes and stayed silent for a few seconds.
24:00In my heart, I repeated it like crazy.
24:02Please, moon goddess, let me stay far away from those bastards in this life.
24:06When I opened my eyes again, Jace was holding a small, delicate box and handing it to me.
24:10Ava, happy birthday.
24:11Open.
24:11I smiled and opened the box, then froze on the spot.
24:14It was a hair clip covered in tiny diamond.
24:16The material was good, and it was beautiful.
24:18What's wrong?
24:19You don't like it?
24:20I should have asked you first.
24:22That day when I walked you to Tooting, I saw you staring at a hair clip by the street,
24:27but that one was too cheap for a gift, so I found one that looked like it.
24:31I like it a lot.
24:33Thank you.
24:34I picked up the hair clip and clipped it into my hair.
24:36Thank you.
24:38You're welcome.
24:39As long as you like it, it's really pretty.
24:42Yes, it's really pretty.
24:43It was Starry Night, designed by Victor, a famous jewelry designer.
24:46When I was 17, I fell in love with it at an auction.
24:48I thought mom would definitely like it, so I raised my paddle with the money I had saved
24:52for five or six years.
24:53But that day, no matter how much I bid, Chloe would add one more dollar like she was doing
24:58it on purpose.
24:59In the end, mom paid $3,001 for that hair clip at a ridiculous price, then put it on
25:04Chloe's head.
25:05Caleb said,
25:06You already have everything.
25:07Why do you have to fight Chloe for this too?
25:09Everyone told me to be generous.
25:10Chloe even wore it in front of me every day.
25:13Grace, if you like it, I can give it to you too, even though mom bought it for me.
25:17I feel so bad for you.
25:18I can let you have it.
25:19That almost broke something in me.
25:21After that, I became even more crazy.
25:23But now, this little hair clip had come to me three years early.
25:26I didn't have to be jealous until my face twisted.
25:29I didn't have to fight until I was bleeding.
25:31So I was worth having something that belonged only to me.
25:34Thank you.
25:34Thank you, all of you.
25:35Really.
25:36It was strange.
25:37It felt like my heart, dead for so long, had finally started beating again.
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