As a reward, Mom gave me a card that allowed me to spend a whole day out as I pleased. It was the most relaxed and carefree day I had experienced since joining the Taylor family.
The driver took me to the bustling city center, and I got out to explore on my own. I had only taken a few steps when I saw someone familiar.
It was Elsa. She stood on the roadside under the blazing sun, handing out flyers.
The Cullens were poor and could barely spare any money. It wasn't surprising that she had to work to earn her keep. After all, I had been in the same position in my previous life.
During summer breaks, I had to work three jobs while keeping up with my studies. On top of that, I had to help my adoptive parents with endless chores and odd jobs.
They claimed to treat everyone equally, but in reality, they could never bear to let their son work.
It wasn't until later that I discovered the truth. My adoptive parents hadn't taken me in because they cared for me. They were simply looking for free labor.
"Hello, would you like to see this—"
A flyer was handed to me.
Elsa stopped mid-sentence when she looked up and saw me. "Enya?"
As she saw the luxury I was surrounded by and the care I took of myself, a fleeting trace of jealousy flitted across her expression and vanished just as fast.
She forced a smile. "You seem to be living comfortably now. Don't say I didn't warn you. Families like the Taylors aren't for everyone. Mom is far scarier than you think. You'll learn soon enough."
"I see."
My calm reply seemed to irritate her slightly.
She began boasting about her adoptive family. "The Cullens treat me very well. I live comfortably every day. Flynn even helps me with my studies. We even got into Westbridge High School by special admission."
Westbridge High School was the very school Mom had just sent me an admission notice for.
Only students with prominent family backgrounds or exceptional talent could get in, though a few were admitted through special exceptions.
In my previous life, the ones admitted through exception were Flynn Cullen and me.
"Our future is only going to get better, and you will most likely end up dying on the streets," she said with firm conviction.
"Elsa!"
She turned at the sound of her name.
"Flynn, what are you doing here?"
Elsa's face lit up, and she ran into Flynn's arms.
Flynn held a lunchbox out to her. "Mom sent me to bring you lunch. It's the middle of the day. You must be tired. Do you want me to stand in for you for a bit?"
Elsa waved him off. "No, I'm fine."
The Cullens would rather send Flynn to costly tutoring than allow Elsa even a moment of rest. That had been my life before as well.
"Thanks for your trouble," Flynn said, then looked at me.
"Flynn, this is my sister, Enya. You met her at the orphanage before," Elsa said.
He glanced at me, and a trace of disgust crossed his face. He ignored me entirely and said to Elsa, "Stay away from people like that. Let's go."
Without letting me say a word, he pulled Elsa away.
"Flynn, why are you being so harsh? What if you scare her?" Elsa asked.
"Elsa, she looks unreliable. Don't associate with her, or who knows what kind of harm she might cause behind your back," Flynn said flatly.
His words caused a brief stir in my heart, but it quickly faded.
I pulled out the card Mom had given me and made several luxury purchases.
