Chapter 1

In the past, Hailey was the only one who got to have birthday cakes.

But this time, for my own cake, I had specially chosen my favorites—strawberry and white chocolate. I even had my name written on the chocolate plaque.

After waiting for a long time and seeing it hadn't arrived, I called the delivery driver.

"What do you mean? The cake was delivered a while ago. A beautiful young lady signed for it."

I quickly pushed open my bedroom door. In the living room, my mom, Sarah, was casually throwing my custom birthday card onto the floor.

"Well, at least you have some conscience," Mom said, looking at me. "Knowing to order a cake to celebrate Hailey and Ben making up."

My dad, Richard, took out the candles, counted eighteen of them, and started poking them into the cake.

"Today is your eighteenth birthday, and Hailey and Ben are back together. It’s a double celebration."

Tyler looked up and saw me standing there. He frowned in displeasure.

"What are you just standing there for? Come and help."

My boyfriend, Ben, leaned down to cut the first slice of cake for Hailey, his knife sliding right through, completely cutting my name in half.

"Emily, you're the older sister," Ben said without looking up. "Hailey’s been in a terrible mood today. Just let her have this one to cheer her up."

"Yeah, Emily. Why are you just standing there? Come grab a bite." Mom waved her hand, holding a plate.

On the table, the cake that once read "Happy 18th Birthday, Emily" had been hacked to pieces. Only a tiny, messy corner was left.

The strawberries were gone.

The white chocolate plaque was gone.

The frosting was a complete disaster, and there was even a red wine stain near the edge left by Ben when he cut it.

Hailey sat in the center seat, the tip of her nose still red from crying.

Ben sat right next to her, gently using a napkin to wipe a smudge of frosting from the corner of her lips.

"That was my cake," I said.

The living room went dead silent.

Mom let out a soft laugh. "We know it’s yours. We just needed it for a quick emergency. You know Hailey’s been miserable these past few days. You're more mature, Emily. Just let her have her way this once."

Dad lit the candles one by one, his voice laced with impatience. "Emily, it's not like we aren't celebrating you."

"Once Hailey and Ben make their wishes, the rest of the cake is all yours."

"But the cake is already ruined," I said, my heart sinking inch by inch.

Every single time. Every single time, they told me I was the older sister, that I should yield to Hailey.

But yielding meant that in the end, I was left with absolutely nothing.

Hearing this, Ben picked up a leftover corner piece and handed it to me. "Emily, I remember you don't really like strawberries anyway. This piece has less frosting. Just take this for now."

"I specially ordered strawberry and white chocolate because I love them."

He froze.

"The strawberries are gone. I’ll buy you another one later," he muttered.

I looked down at the cake I had handpicked. Eighteen candles. A celebration that had nothing to do with me.

Mom had replaced my card with a new piece of paper. On it, she had written: *Here’s to Hailey and Ben’s new beginning.*

My name in the frosting had been smudged down to a blurry "Em."

What a beautiful new beginning. Ben had completely forgotten that he was supposed to be *my* boyfriend.

He had used the excuse of "helping me look after my sister," only to turn himself into her boyfriend.

"No need," I said quietly. "I won't be eating it anyway. I'm leaving for my studies in the UK next week."

Mom set her plate down, her face hardening. "Emily, what is that supposed to mean? Are you throwing a tantrum just to ruin the mood?"

"My cake was ruined, my name was erased, and me saying I'm going to the UK is 'ruining the mood'?"

I couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.

Hailey stood up, her eyes welling with tears. "Emily, I'm so sorry... I thought Mom ordered the cake. I didn't know you ordered it for yourself."

"You watched Ben cut right through my name," I interrupted her performance.

A tear slipped down Hailey's cheek. "I..."

Ben reached out to grab my arm. "Emily, nobody did this on purpose. Hailey finally started feeling better, and you—"

I yanked my arm back.

"She’s in a bad mood, so she gets to take my things to fill the void?"

Ben's hand hung in mid-air. His lips parted, but he couldn't find any words.

Mom slammed her plate onto the table. Her voice turned freezing cold. "Emily, have you had enough?"

"Do you really have to make everyone miserable? You used to be so sweet and considerate when you were little. Why are you getting so selfish as you grow up?"

"I've been considerate for eighteen years," I said, staring at her. "Today, I'm done."

Dad slammed his palm onto the table with a loud crash. "Sit down!"

I stood my ground and didn't move.

I took one last look at the mutilated cake that no longer looked like a cake.

"I won't sit down. And I will never be 'considerate' again."

I turned and walked toward the door.

Behind me, I heard the scraping of a chair.

Ben looked like he wanted to run after me, but Hailey softly whispered, "Ben..." and he stopped.

As I stepped out into the cool night air, a notification popped up on my phone. My flight was in seven days.

Just seven more days, and I would finally have a life of my own.