I Won’t Be Gaslit Again

My father went bankrupt, my mother was gravely ill, my brother got into a car accident delivering food and was paralyzed from the waist down, and my stepsister, a false princess, had to eat radish soup with rice every day to pursue her dreams.

The entire family depended on me. Gritting my teeth, I was about to use the money from todays blood donation to treat everyone to a nice meal when countless bullet comments suddenly appeared before my eyes.

Dont give it to them! These old folks are loaded; theyre just pretending to be poor to test you!

Dont spoil it, upstairs! This is a regret-of-the-dead story. Once they realize the real heir wasnt after their money, theyll regret it naturally!

Oh, so the real heir has to die from illness before they feel any remorse? Whats the point of a story like that?

My mind exploded in a deafening buzz as a flood of unfamiliar memories, yet unmistakably mine, surged forth.

It turned out I was the true heir in a real versus fake heir story, and my biological parents were billionaires. Fearing I would covet their money, after acknowledging me, they collectively feigned illness and poverty. And I, to support the family, had to drop out of school to earn money, selling research projects, start-up companies, even resorting to selling my blood and participating in drug trials. Yet, I couldn't bear to spend anything on myself, ultimately developing stomach cancer.

After my death, the whole family went mad with regret, blaming and tearing each other apart.

I looked up again to see my family staring intently at the money in my hand. My heart clear as crystal, I immediately tucked the cash back into my bag.

My parents, brimming with suspicion, immediately asked what I meant.

I put on a hesitant expression. This money I earned it by selling my blood.

The entire family was stunned.

I lowered my gaze, placed the money on the coffee table, and spoke in a deliberately weak voice. If you cough, then take it. Dont worry about me. For you, Id even die willingly.

My family stared, dumbfounded. My parents, especially, were overcome with intense guilt.

This money isnt absolutely Mom struggled to speak, her eyes filled with heartache as she looked at me.

My stepsister, Daphne Hayes, scowled. My brother, Oliver Bellweather, noticing the abnormality, immediately frowned and chided me. Thats enough, Amelia Thorne. Are you deliberately trying to play the victim? Is anyone in this family having an easy time? He patted his paralyzed leg forcefully. If I hadnt broken my leg delivering food, I wouldnt care for your money.

Where did you learn such a self-pitying trick? Youre far too manipulative!

Daphne echoed him. Yes, sister, does anyone even sell blood these days? How did you just happen to find such a place? Nowadays, its all voluntary donations; there are many kind people, especially college students. No one would be foolish enough to buy blood.

Hearing this, my parents expressions subtly shifted, their gazes at me now filled with scrutiny.

Before my biological parents took me home, I was working odd jobs, selling things at a street stall, constantly squabbling over space with vendors next to me. They initially felt a little sorry for me, but then Daphne chimed in, calling me black-hearted and greedy. With Olivers constant encouragement, they became wary of me, fearing I was a mercenary opportunist, so they decided to test me by feigning poverty.

I looked up, opening my lips as if to defend myself. But as soon as I opened my mouth, I broke into a fit of coughing, my body swaying precariously. Finally, my eyes rolled back, and I simply fainted.

Just before losing consciousness, a blood donation certificate conveniently fluttered from my hand. The date on it was today.

My mother glared unhappily at the two siblings, then immediately rushed me to the hospital.

At the hospital, I finally got a good nights sleep. Bullet comments scrolled rapidly before my eyes.

Whats going on? Why isnt it following the plot? Wheres the regret-of-the-dead story? How can they regret it if she doesnt die?

I actually think the protagonist is doing the right thing. She just struggles to express herself, clearly giving so much, but because she doesnt want her family to worry, her parents only learn the truth after she dies.

Exactly, exactly! So what if the protagonist plays the victim? Her parents started playing the victim first, why isnt anyone saying anything about that?

I lay there, eyes tightly shut, seemingly calm and peaceful. But deep down, my heart ached.

I had been sent to an orphanage from a young age, always envying children who had both parents and grew up in loving families. I constantly fantasized about having parents, imagining that one day, they would come to take me home. I fantasized so often, only for it to fall through, that I slowly came to accept reality.

When my biological parents appeared before me, I felt my heart pound. I was happy, yet also deeply wronged. I wanted to give everything to my parents, to this family, but I never expected them to lie to me, to be wary of me, to test me. They watched me suffer, not only ignoring it but actively contriving to appear poor and ill, forcing me to give, testing my sincerity. Twenty years ago, they abandoned me with their own hands. Twenty years later, they were pushing me to my death again, all because of ridiculous prejudices. This kind of family bond? I didnt want it.

When I woke again, it was to the sound of weeping. Daphne was at my bedside, wiping away tears, while Oliver gently comforted her from his wheelchair.

Dont worry, Amelia sold you the spot, didnt she?

I thought Id misheard. Earlier, to support the family, I had sold my opportunity to study under my professor to a classmate. Was that also part of their scheme?

But Mom seems to like her a little now. What if Mom doesnt like me anymore?

What foolishness are you talking about? With me around, shell never get into the Sterling family as a young lady. Youre my only sister. Besides, have you forgotten? He lowered his voice, "It was you who constantly donated blood and acted as a guinea pig, which led to the development of Moms special medicine!

You mean I understand. Big brother is the best!

I couldnt help but curl my lips into a mocking smile. My mother suffered from a rare blood disease. In my past life, to cure her, I went to great lengths to raise money, even resorting to selling my blood and participating in drug trials to earn cash. The buyer, no one else, was my own brother. Then he turned around and credited all that effort to Daphne, proclaiming it was the result of her filial piety moving heaven itself! It wasnt until after my death, when the truth was revealed, that Mom was filled with remorse.

Now, I naturally wouldnt be foolish enough to work tirelessly, only to have my achievements stolen.

I coughed twice, then slowly lifted my head, meeting the hostile gazes of the siblings. Seeing I was awake, before I could even speak, Oliver, completely self-righteous, ordered me to be discharged immediately.

The doctor said youre perfectly fine! You know youre faking it, right? All the burdens of life are falling on your sisters shoulders! She doesnt even have time to write her thesis to support the family! Go back and write it for her right away!

I couldnt hold back. I opened my mouth and snapped, Whose dog isnt leashed and barking everywhere?

Oliver froze, and Daphne shrieked, covering her mouth dramatically. Youre too much! How can you curse brother?! I wont allow you to curse the best brother in the world!

I retorted, Two dogs.

I jumped out of bed and walked away. Oliver tried to stop me, but I was too fast. I couldn't care less about his barking behind me.

I jogged all the way to the university, found my homeroom teacher, and withdrew my withdrawal application. Then, I jogged again to find my advisor, Professor Eleanor Vance, to apologize and request to resume my studies with her.

Professor Vance was furious, her face cold as she told me to get lost. I knew her anger stemmed from her high expectations of me. She had repeatedly warned me not to be swayed by emotions, not to jeopardize my future. She had even reminded me that if my parents and siblings truly loved me, they wouldnt constantly demand sacrifice and contribution from me.

But I had vehemently argued, wasnt sacrificing and contributing to family a matter of course? I had failed Professor Vances expectations, not only withdrawing from school but also selling my research spot, quitting the project team, and continuously contributing my intellect to Daphne, helping her climb the ladder by stepping on me.

Now, Professor Vances refusal was my deserved retribution. I humbly apologized to her, and as I turned to leave, she suddenly called out to me. Her eyes, magnified by thick glasses, glistened with unshed tears. Are you truly capable of genuine repentance?

My heart soared with delight. I nodded vigorously. I swear! Im willing to give everything to my profession! I will never do anything foolish again!

After a long moment, the pen in Professor Vances hand finally stopped sketching. She softly uttered a sentence. Well, what are you waiting for? Get to the lab!

I was overjoyed, like a drowning person clutching a lifeline at the bottom of a lake. I couldnt help but exclaim excitedly, then joyfully put on a lab coat and dove into the laboratory.

Me, writing Daphnes thesis? Me, doing her experiments, publishing her data, entering competitions for her? In your dreams! This time, Im living only for myself!

Family ties? Bullshit parental love? I want none of it!

Before I found my biological family, I took perfectly good care of myself and even had a stray dog, a little yellow mongrel. After being reunited, my brother claimed that the single room I rented had bad feng shui, which was detrimental to Moms recovery. So, with a grand gesture, he rented a spacious four-bedroom, two-living-room apartment. This meant I had to pay eight hundred a month in rent.

The result? The house was overflowing with their belongings, while I was relegated to sleeping on the balcony. Even my dog was thrown out of the house by my brother multiple times. Later, my little yellow dog, like me, developed a tumor. Despite being in constant pain, she would still wag her tail whenever she saw me. My brother, in my absence, drove her deep into the mountains and abandoned her. When I was grieving, he coldly questioned me, In your heart, which is more important: your family, or a dirty dog?

I thought he just disliked dogs, but my memories showed that Daphnes villa housed three expensive pedigree dogs. He didnt dislike dogs; he disliked me. He thought I was lowly, and that my dog was worthless.

So, I didnt go home. I took my little yellow dog directly to my and my friends studio.

Without the burden of family, my life immediately soared, and my happiness index couldnt be higher. However, as I became happy, they became unhappy. Because I had blocked my entire family, Mom couldnt reach me and asked Daphne to find me.

One day, as I entered the large lecture hall, I saw Daphne. She was petite, dressed in a light pink puff-sleeve dress, looking like a little princess. It was laughable that I had once been brainwashed by Oliver: Even though shes not truly a Sterling, shes been part of the family for so many years. I treat her as my sister, so naturally, shes your sister too. As her older sister, you have an obligation to fulfill all her needs.

So, while I was scrambling to find ways to make money, looking utterly disheveled, Daphne was able to brazenly enjoy all my efforts without lifting a finger.

At this moment, she was surrounded by three or four girlstheir little clique. As soon as I walked in, they eyed me with harsh, critical stares that were hard to ignore. But I tried my best to ignore them, focusing on reviewing my notes, waiting for the professor to arrive so I could ask some valuable questions.

Daphne couldnt hold back. She dabbed her eyes. Immediately, her sycophant number one couldnt contain herself. Amelia Thorne, dont you see Daphne is crying? How can you still have the nerve to show your face after harming someone so terribly?

I frowned, annoyed. None of your business!

Sycophant number two spoke up. What kind of attitude is that? Didnt you drop out? Why are you back? If it werent for you, how would Daphne have been kicked out by Professor Vance?

Exactly. Sycophant number three crossed her arms in agreement. I heard you didnt pay rent, causing your family to be thrown out by the landlord on a rainy day, worsening your moms condition. And youre just sitting here in class like nothing happened? Wheres your conscience?

With the three sycophants fanning the flames, I became a disloyal, unfilial bane. Daphne, with tears streaming down her face like pear blossoms in the rain, pleaded, Dont talk about my sister like that. Whatever choices she makes, shes still my sister I, Im fine, as long as sister is happy

This trick again? Daphne was already delicate and pretty, and with her vivid acting, she successfully garnered everyones sympathy. Some even started stirring, chanting for me to get out. Even the renowned, stern Professor Vance looked at me with a dark, deathly gaze.

Before, I would have been consumed by shame and anger. But now, I had found my voice. Playing the victim? Who couldnt do that? She was faking it; I was genuinely miserable!

I immediately fell silent, tears silently flowing, gazing at Daphne with a mournful expression, as if the whole world contained only the two of us.

Daphne, the dress youre wearing, I bought it with the money from my fourteenth blood donation. You said you liked it, so I gritted my teeth and bought it.

But this white T-shirt Im wearing? Ive had it for three years!

Were the same age, born on the same day, so why do you get to be the little princess of the family, while Im constantly scrambling to cover all the family expenses?

Dads cigarettes and alcohol, brothers gaming gear, Moms medicine, your princess dresses and high heels, the entire familys rent and living expenses.

Daphne, I know you love me, but but this love is truly too heavy. I genuinely cant afford it!

I have to get up at 5 AM every day to work, and I dont get home until midnight. Ive tried so hard to find ways to earn money, but my abilities are limited. I can only sell my coursework, my projects, even my start-up company, even my own body, my flesh and blood, to afford your luxurious lifestyle.

I cough cough, I really cant keep going. Please, please, just let me go!

I clutched my fists in anguish, leaning on the table, my slender body swaying precariously. The vast classroom fell into dead silence, then, like a clap of thunder, it erupted into a cacophony of buzzing voices.