Chapter 5

My first year of high school ended calmly. I placed third in my class and fifth in my grade on the final exam. This result was average for me, as I believed I could do better.

The thought of spending summer break at home with the Shaw Family made me uneasy. Still, I reminded myself that in this new life, I shouldn't fear Quincy's antics.

Returning home, I was surprised to find an unexpected visitor: George's mother, my grandmother Mary. Though I'd never met her in my previous life, I knew of the expensive gifts she gave Quincy.

Uninterested in the Shaw Family's affairs, I didn't envy Quincy's presents from Mary. I headed straight upstairs to unpack and resume studying.

"Ruby, wait! Don't you see grandma's here?" Hank blocked my path. It was a hot day, and my last class had been P.E. The girls had run 800 meters, leaving me sweaty and eager for a shower.

I hadn't expected Hank to force me to witness their family bonding.

"Who's this?" I asked, setting down my bag and feigning ignorance.

"This child is far less considerate than Quincy. Bringing her here has only caused problems," the old woman remarked.

I chuckled and replied, "Pardon me, but my surname is Lawson. Please exclude me from your family matters in the future."

Hank looked annoyed, while Maria seemed distressed.

"Ruby, we were wrong. We'll change your surname tomorrow," Maria said.

I found her words odd. If they truly wanted me as their daughter, they would have changed my name long ago. Now, they seemed embarrassed and obligated. Did they think I needed their approval?

"No thanks," I declined.

Quincy intervened, "Ruby, it's Dad and Mom's birthday. Grandma's here to celebrate. We saved you some cake, knowing you've probably never had any."

She presented a lopsided slice that had clearly been in the fridge for a while.

I looked at them all. "Am I really part of the Shaw Family? Or did you make a mistake?"

As Hank's twin, we shared a birthday. Yet here they were, celebrating with an impostor while completely forgetting about me.

Maria finally understood. "Ruby, I'm so sorry. We didn't mean to forget your birthday."

She appeared on the verge of tears. I sighed, realizing why she and Quincy seemed closer.

"It's fine. I don't need you to remember," I said, heading upstairs as Mary continued to criticize me.

After showering, I was called down for dinner. The table was set, but nothing appealed to me.

Raised by Hannah, a scavenger, I'd grown fond of meat after years of poverty. Yet the table was covered in vegetarian dishes that turned my stomach.

Maria pulled me to sit beside her. "Ruby, sit here with me."

She held my hand, offering the warmth I'd longed for in my past life. I hadn't expected to receive it now.

"Mom, try this – it's your favorite," Quincy said, serving Maria some egg – the only dish resembling meat.

Maria praised Quincy, forgetting about me.

"Well, we can afford one more mouth to feed. Consider this your birthday gift," Mary said reluctantly, producing a cell phone box.

It was the latest model, but I was too busy studying to use it. Besides, it seemed like a hasty, impersonal gift.

I glanced at Quincy's sparkling diamond necklace, feeling a pang in my chest.

"What, you don't like what I got you?" Mary asked, sounding annoyed.

Though I didn't need her gesture, I decided to accept it graciously.

I opened the box and examined the new phone. Despite everything, it was the first gift the Shaw Family had given me.

"Thank you, grandma," I said politely, easing Mary's expression.

"A simple country girl, thrilled by a mere phone," Hank mocked.

George smacked him, saying, "Keep quiet if you've got nothing useful to say."

Hank started to retort but noticed Mary's disapproval.

The meal was tense, yet I felt a glimmer of happiness.

Back in my room, I planned to do more practice exams, but my schoolbag and books were missing.

After searching fruitlessly, I went downstairs to find Hank holding my bag.

He'd taken my things in the middle of the night, and I couldn't fathom why.

"Don't think you can outshine Quincy just because of your grades!" he spat.

His foolish behavior confused me. Then I noticed the lighter in his hand.

I'd compromised repeatedly, hoping to finish school, find work, and leave the Shaw Family behind. But they seemed to think I was overstepping.

As Hank moved to burn my schoolbag, I lunged for it.

The elite class had numerous courses, and all my homework was inside. The papers were specially printed for us by various teachers and would be troublesome to replace.

More importantly, my notes were in there – crucial for reviewing and learning new material over the next two years.

Success doesn't come easily; everyone in the elite class studied diligently.

But I was too slow. Hank's lighter ignited, and flames engulfed the bag in seconds.

He tossed it to the ground, laughing. "You deserve this! I won't let up until you leave that school!"