5 Years of Noodles, Now I’m Furious

At my adoptive sisters celebration party, a post caught my eye.

Whats it like to pull a god down from his pedestal?

A comment with ten thousand likes was pinned to the top.

The god I pulled down was my adoptive sisters boyfriend of ten years.

The moment I entered their home, I was drawn to his aloof, untouchable aura. I played the part of the temptress from a novel, and with a flick of my finger, he was mine.

He was always so righteous, so principled. But for me, he secretly changed my exam scores. For me, he waived the entrance test to his top-tier law firm. For me, he became my private tutor, preparing me for the bar exam.

And my dear sister? She spent five miserable years choking down instant noodles in a cramped study room and still couldn't pass.

The replies were a chorus of condemnation. Have you no shame? What about your adoptive parents?

She quickly posted a photo from the party.

There I was, in the corner, bloated and puffy from a diet of cheap ramen. My hair, a dry, frizzy mess, framed a face of dull resignation.

What makes you think she added, her words dripping with condescension, that they dont know?

My parents were worried Id be too stressed. So, to make sure I had company, theyd drug my food before every exam. Id fall asleep during the test and think it was my own weakness.

But now that Ive passed, Ill be merciful. Ill ask them to stop.

My hand, clutching the phone, began to tremble. I looked up and saw my adoptive sister, Chloe, gesturing wildly, a triumphant look on her face. And next to her, my boyfriend, Damien, listened intently, his eyes filled with a tenderness I had never seen directed at me.

I walked over and shoved the phone in his face. Is this true? I asked, my voice a raw whisper.

His eyes scanned the screen, and his pupils dilated for a fraction of a second.

His silence was my answer.

Why? My voice was sharp with rage. Damien, you knew how badly I wanted to get into Sterling & Vance! It was my dream to stand in the same courtroom as you, to fight by your side! I worked so hard for so many years

He finally spoke. But youre my girlfriend.

Audrey, everyone knows about us. There was only one spot this year. If you got in, what would people think? Theyd say I pulled strings for you. How would that look for either of us?

Youre a law student. You should understand the need to avoid the appearance of impropriety.

Impropriety? A bitter laugh escaped me, but tears were already streaming down my face. My final year of university, I interviewed for an internship at your firm. You were so afraid of being accused of nepotism that you tore up my resume in front of everyone and threw it in the trash. You belittled my accomplishments, made me feel worthless.

But I was top of my class for four years! I won every national scholarship available! I earned my place in grad school, published papers in prestigious journals! What did I have to be afraid of?

But her! I spun around and pointed at Chloe. She failed her exams every year! In moot court, she couldnt even handle a basic cross-examination! But for her, you threw your principles out the window. You changed her scores, opened doors for her, coddled her, taught her everything yourself! Damien, were your principles designed specifically to be used against me?

Chloe shrank behind him, a picture of innocence.

Audrey! What are you doing, yelling at your sister like that?

A roar from behind me, and then a hand grabbed my arm, yanking me away. My mother rushed to Chloes side, wrapping her in a protective embrace. Its okay, Chloe, Mommys here. This is your special day. Dont cry.

She wiped Chloes tears, then shot me a look of pure disappointment. Audrey, are you here just to cause trouble? Cant you let your sister have one happy moment? Why do you have to humiliate her in front of everyone?

I humiliated her? My voice was hoarse with disbelief. You you didnt even ask what happened. You just saw her crying and assumed I was the one bullying her, right?

My father waved his hand dismissively. What else could it be? Your sister has always been a sweet, gentle girl. It must be you, acting out again.

I sighed, a wave of exhaustion washing over me. I looked straight at him. Dad, before every exam, Mom would bring me a special scallion pancake. She said it was a taste of home, for good luck. Was there something else in those pancakes?

The anger on my fathers face froze. He looked away, unable to meet my eyes. My mother, still holding Chloe, went rigid, her face turning a ghastly white.

So it was true

Tears rolled down my cheeks. And I thought I thought it was me. That I was weak, that I wasnt good enough

My mother suddenly broke down. She tried to grab my hand, but I pulled away. Audrey, we didnt want to! she sobbed. But Chloe shes so sensitive, not strong like you If she failed and you passed, what if she did something drastic? I promise, next year, we wont put anything in your food

Damiens voice, now soft and placating, chimed in. Shes right. If it means that much to you, I can help you study next year. Its just one more year. You have a strong foundation. You can do it.

Just one more year?

Im twenty-nine! Ive been trying to pass this exam since I was twenty-four! Five years! The best, most valuable five years of my career, all wasted in a cold study room with moldy instant noodles! I slept four hours a night, studied until I threw up, my hands were covered in chilblains

Do you know what its like to watch people years younger than you walk past with their law licenses? I thought I was stupid, that I wasnt working hard enough, that I was mentally weak! I doubted myself, broke down in tears, then forced myself to get up and keep going!

And now youre telling me that none of it had to happen?

My five years do they mean so little to you?

The dam of my pent-up grief and frustration finally burst. My whole body was shaking.

Audrey! Let me explain

We we My mother was crying too, unable to form a coherent sentence. She knew. She knew what they had done.

I had had enough. I turned to leave, but my fathers voice, sharp with anger, stopped me. You stop right there! If you walk out that door today, Ill disown you!

I turned back slowly, my face numb. The day you started drugging me, I stopped being your daughter.

I walked out and didnt look back.

I stopped studying and started looking for a job. I thought my university transcripts, my published papers, my awards, would mean something.

I was wrong.

Twenty-nine years old. Female. No work experience. No law license.

Each one a fatal blow.

I was less valuable than the office printer.

Then, I saw another post from Chloe. A nine-photo grid from the party. Everyone was smiling. As if nothing had happened.

A message from Damien popped up.

Audrey, Ive given Chloe a new case. Shes still inexperienced, and theres a lot of paperwork. You could come and help with the filing, some basic tasks. It would be good practical experience for you. Once we win the case, I can bring you in as an intern. It would be a legitimate way in.

The condescending, charitable tone of his message made me sick. Did he really think I would come crawling back, tail between my legs, for this insulting scrap of a chance?

At the same time, another message appeared, from an unknown number.

It was short.

Interested in a collaboration?

At the pre-trial meeting a few days later, my presence didnt seem to surprise Damien. He was still the same arrogant, self-assured man.

So youve come to your senses. Good. Pay attention. Youll be taking the minutes for Chloe. Its a great learning opportunity for you.

I met his gaze and sat down across from him. Im afraid that wont be possible, Mr. Thorne.

His brow furrowed. What are you talking about?

Because today, I am the lead counsel for the plaintiff.

The air in the room went still.

Damien was the first to break the silence, with a short, sharp laugh. What nonsense are you talking about? You dont even have a law license. What firm would hire you? Who would be foolish enough to take that risk?

Just then, the conference room door opened again. A man walked in and sat down beside me.

Hans Vance! Chloe gasped.

The color drained from Damiens face. You went to him? Do you have any idea who he is?

Of course I knew.

Hans Vance was Damiens fiercest rival. His reputation was mixed. Some said he was ruthless, that he would do anything to win. Others said he was brilliant, a master strategist who took on the cases no one else would touch. Most importantly, he and Damien were sworn enemies.

I met Damiens furious gaze, my own voice calm. Damien, when I needed a chance, when I needed a platform to prove myself, you were the one who pushed me away, time and time again, to avoid impropriety.

I lost five years of my life. No firm would even look at me. When I had nowhere else to turn, he was the one who gave me a chance, who believed in my abilities. As for what kind of person he is

I dont care.

You! Damien looked like he was about to choke.

I was trying to help you! After this case, I was going to get you into Sterling & Vance, let you start from the bottom

Ha! I cut him off. Mr. Thorne, you were going to pull strings for me? Bend the rules? I couldnt possibly let you do that.

He was speechless.

Hans tapped the table. If you two are quite finished, perhaps we could discuss the case?

Damiens chest heaved with suppressed rage. He shot me one last venomous look and sat down.

Hours later, he and Chloe left the meeting with thunderous expressions.

Hans turned to me. So? How did it go?

I let out a long breath, my tense muscles finally relaxing. Shes no match for me.

He raised an eyebrow, a slow smile spreading across his face. It seems my investment was a wise one.