Lina watched as the night quietly faded, the sky gradually softening into hues of gold and rose. The first light of dawn stretched across the horizon, gentle and warm. Moments later, the soft glow gave way to the bold blaze of the sun, rising high and fierce.
Her eyes closed slightly unable to bear the fierce light radiating from the sun. She got up and stood by the balcony embracing the early light and warmth.
Her mind was calmer now than yesterday. She decided to take it step by step. She would not trust anyone, not even Ashton. She had passed the one year, dedicating her time in training and killing. She had already ticked off the first ten of the list.
The voice echoed in her mind, 'Keep aside the list. Try to feel this world.'
If what he said was true, then she had to find her mother in this world. May be she would know something.
She inhaled the fresh smell of the first wind of the day, freshened up and headed downstairs. If she had to feel the nature, she had to feel the life of Lina Tang first.
The air in the breakfast table froze.
The clinking of cutlery ceased. All three paused mid-bite, staring in mild disbelief.
"Oh my good sister, did the sun rise from the west today?" Nina Tang, her supposed elder sister, remarked with a slow blink and a tone dripping in sarcasm.
"My dear daughter, come give me a hug," Mother Tang cooed, arms already outstretched as if Lina had just returned from war, not merely entered the dining room before noon.
"You should've slept more," Father Tang said calmly, dabbing his mouth with a napkin after his final bite. No surprise. No scolding. Just casual acceptance.
Nina side-eyed her father, incredulous. She could never understand why he always indulges Lina in everything. And, she, was always abstained. She was always rejected, always asked to be careful and always reminded to be mannerly and excel in everything.
The contrast in treatment was no secret. It was vast. Blatant. Sometimes cruel.
Nina often found herself wondering if she truly belonged in this family. The thought had haunted her for years. She had even gone as far as getting a DNA test—only for the results to deliver a truth she didn't want: she was their biological daughter.
That bitter realization was the final push. The reason she packed her bags and moved to the Capital right after graduation. She couldn't stand living under the same roof, breathing the same air, watching the unfairness repeat itself every single day.
If it weren't for their parents, maybe—just maybe—she could've found some sliver of affection for Lina. But now?
Unfortunately…
All she could feel was resentment.
Not the loud, dramatic kind. No. Nina Tang had long mastered the art of keeping her emotions folded behind calm smiles and pristine posture.
She watched as Lina stepped lightly across the dining room, her messy ponytail bobbing, dressed in her bear printed pajamas like she had just rolled out of bed—which she probably had.
And yet, their mother welcomed her like a prodigal saint. But when it comes to her, she was always asked to be neat, well dressed and smile.
"I was just hungry," Lina mumbled as she leaned into Mother Tang's hug. "Smelled the dumplings."
"A good nose and good timing," Mother Tang chuckled, brushing back a stray hair from Lina's forehead as though she were five years old again.
"Sit down, sit down," Father Tang gestured, already picking up his chopsticks to add more food to Lina's bowl. "Eat while it's warm."
Nina stared blankly at her now-empty plate.
They never did that for her. Never once served her like she was something to be cherished. Praise came in measures—only when she excelled, only when she performed. Love, in their language, was conditional. For Lina? It flowed freely, without cause or consequence.
"I didn't know you were up this early," Nina said with forced lightness, sipping her now-cold tea. "No game bars left to accidentally set on fire?"
Lina lowered her head as if ashamed of her wrongdoings.
"I really did not want that to happen. It just happened." She said in dejected voice.
"You always say it just happened whenever something happens involving you. But yet there you are in the center of it all." Nina pointed out, arching a brow.
"I...I am sorry." Lina bit her lips guiltily as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Enough, Nina. That's your sister." Father Tang shrieked. He slammed his fork onto the porcelain plate—sharp, loud, final. The sudden sound echoed in the silence that followed.
"Don't cry, don't cry. Mom knows it's not your fault." Mother Tang patted Lina continuously trying to stop her from crying.
Nina was stunned. There, there it was, again.
"It's always like this. I was just warning her out of concern as her older sister. But." Nina's grip on her spoon tightened. "I should pack my bags and take my leave. It was dumb of me to come back." Nina rose from her seat with a little force and stomped towards her room leaving the three.
"Nina, wait. Your father did not mean it like that." Seeing that Nina had already slammed her door, she shook her head. 'That child!' She sighed wondering what shortcomings she had to brought up Nina.
"Leave her be. She will come around." Father Tang wanted Nina to realize her own mistakes.
Lina looked up slowly. "It's my fault. I will talk to sister." She spoke softly.
In the room, Nina crashed on her bed. Her eyes fell on the family portrait kept on the bedside table.
Father Tang was carrying her while mother Tang was holding Father Tang's arms and their eyes were on her full of love and affection. She threw out the picture frame causing it to shatter in pieces.
Her eyes burnt in jealousy and anger. Everything she had were snatched after Lina arrived.
She hated Lina. She hated her parents. She hated this house. She hated everything about her life.
And most of all—She hated that no matter how far she went, some part of her still wanted to be seen the way Lina was. Loved without trying. Wanted without asking.
'Was that too much to ask?'