Soon, my birthday arrived.
Dad gave me a birthday gift I had been yearning for—a violin. It was quite an expense for our family, so my parents had hesitated to buy it. Mom signaled with a smile for me to open it. I took the violin out, keeping my expression neutral, though I couldn't miss the flash of envy in Karina's eyes.
Dad took the opportunity to speak to me sincerely. "Shiloh, we haven't forgotten you. We still love you."
Mom gently stroked my hair. "Yes, Shiloh. See, we got you the violin you've wanted so much. It's just that Karina has been unwell, so we've had to pay more attention to her. You should be more understanding and look after Karina, setting a good example for your brother, all right?”
Before I could respond, Karina gasped, drawing everyone's attention. Realizing that all eyes were on her, she covered her mouth apologetically, her eyes filled with longing.
"Mom and Dad are so good to you, Shiloh. I've never even seen a violin in real life. I've only ever seen them on TV... I really envy you. Unfortunately, no one ever buys me one."
"They always say it's a waste of money for a girl to learn that. I envy you so much, Shiloh."
Karina’s sorrowful expression tugged at my parents' hearts. Just as before, Mom took the violin and handed it directly to Karina. Dad repeated the familiar refrain.
"Since your sister wants it so much, Shiloh, you should be generous and let her have the violin.”
Karina held the violin delicately, her voice tender. "Is it really okay, Shiloh?"
Before I could agree, Mom made the decision for me. "Why wouldn't it be? Karina is part of our family too."
In my past life, that was how Karina had ended up with my violin. My parents insisted I give it up, promising I'd get something better in the future. Back then, I had argued desperately, only to be harshly reprimanded and have my allowance cut.
Why should she get to act innocent and take what’s mine? Didn’t I deserve it just as much?
I lifted my head and asked the question that had been burning inside me. "Why does my birthday gift have to go to her? Can't you get her another one?"
They didn’t seem to have an epiphany, choosing instead to scold me. "The family isn’t rich, and this violin is already a splurge! How can we afford another one? Can’t you share it with Karina?"
"Why are you being so selfish? Karina is already very unfortunate; as her sister, you should be considerate."
I looked at them for a few moments, then nodded slowly. "I understand."
With that, I turned and went upstairs.
Behind me, I heard Mom calling after me and Dad's criticism. "Look at her, behaving like this. She’s learned to throw a tantrum at such a young age."
"She won't understand the value of money until she's handling a household herself!"
At the corner of the stairs, I noticed Layne giving Karina a gift. "Happy birthday, Karina!"
But today was my birthday.
And two months later, on Karina's birthday, the same parents who claimed the family wasn’t well-off didn’t hesitate to host a lavish birthday party for Karina at a luxury hotel just because she fancied inviting all her classmates.
I heard they even ordered a five-tier cake.
As for me, just like before, I was told to stay home. Their excuse was that they feared I’d cause a scene at Karina’s party, embarrassing her in front of her friends.
When they left, Karina wore a Victorian-style dress with a tiara, surrounded by Mom, Dad, and Layne, all chatting cheerfully as they headed to the hotel.
Meanwhile, their own daughter didn’t even get a slice of cake and was left at home with cold leftovers, under the guise of preventing trouble.
I didn’t complain or throw a fit. I quietly sat in my room with a book, preparing for the day I would finally leave this family behind.
