Ever since I, Anastasia Donnell was a child, my parents always favored my younger sister, Olivia Donnell, over me. They hated me so much. In fact, they didn’t even admit me as their daughter before the public. So, I had to work really hard to get their approval.
I joined my family’s company, Donnell Corp., with my own hard work. Initially, I worked as a front-line saleswoman. After that, I was promoted to be the Sales Director because of how good I was.
Since I had to secure a big deal, I ended up drinking too much alcohol to the point that my intestine was perforated. I asked my parents to help me to call the emergency number that would help me to get to the hospital. However, I would never expect their response.
Their response was mocking me, saying that I acted like this to attract their attention. After that, they left me at home. Instead, they took Olivia out to celebrate her birthday.
When I woke up, I saw my younger sister proudly showing off a lot of luxurious gifts my parents gave her on WhatsApp stories.
[Olivia: Dad, Mom, am I really your most beloved and only daughter?]
My parents immediately liked and commented.
[Mr & Mrs. Donnell: Of course, baby! ]
After I survived my surgery, I would give them an estrangement letter. From now on, they and I would go our separate ways. That was it.
***
I, Anastasia Donnell, had just signed a big deal for the company.
When I got home, I wanted to share the good news with my parents. However, their response was scolding me instead.
“Gosh, you stink of alcohol! it's disgusting! Go take a shower! Don’t you ever show up in front of us like this!”
My sister, Olivia Donnell, covered her nose and said coldly, "Drunkard, you'll drink to death sooner or later!"
The moment I heard it, it felt as if a bucket of cold water was poured over my head. My heart became stone-cold because of what they said. Through the door, I heard my parents happily discussing where to take my sister to have a big dinner party to celebrate her birthday.
I couldn’t help but feel sad deep in my heart.
However, that wasn’t my focus as I felt faint stomach pain that attacked my body. After that, I ran to the bathroom again and again to vomit until there was nothing left. Not only did they not care about me, they also thought I was noisy.
I had no idea of how many times I vomited, but the cramps in my stomach became more and more severe. That was when I realized that I had to go to the hospital. So, I had to go there as soon as possible.
Only then I remembered that my mobile phone was in the shoe cabinet at the entrance. As I tried to get it, I no longer had the energy to stand. So, I fell to the ground in pain.
When I forced myself to crawl out of my room, I was exhausted.
“Dad, Mom … I don’t feel well. Can you help me? Give me the first aid,” I said weakly as I tried to hold myself, worrying that it would be too low that they couldn’t hear it.
When my parents turned to look at me, their faces immediately turned cold.
“Oh, you’re acting to get attention now? Goodness, you’re still competing for your sister’s favor at this age. Isn’t this childish?”
“Why? Since you can’t sign the contract, you’re worried that we'll blame you. That’s why you’re pretending to play the victim, right?”
Their sarcastic and unempathetic remarks really hurt me. My eyes slowly became harder to open. Everything slowly turned darker. So, I decided to put on my last hope to my sister.
“Olivia, please help me make a phone call … please,” I told her weakly.
However, my sister just sneered and said, “Just go back to your room! Today is my birthday, so too bad!”
After that, my family left without looking back. I stared at the closed door in disbelief, but that wasn’t for long because there was a salty and hot stream flowed out of my throat. After I spat out a mouthful of blood, my eyes went dark before I passed out.
I was awakened by the ringing of my phone. My instinct for survival made me crawl to the entrance with my last breath to get the phone. The call was from my assistant, Alex Dawson.
Without further ado, I told her, “Alex, I’m in so much pain. Please come to my house … save me … ”
After that, the pain came again throughout my body. Then, I fell into the endless abyss again. I had no idea of how long it took, but I vaguely heard Alex's voice.
“Doctor, I called Ms. Donnell’s parents. They insisted that I called the wrong number. They also said they didn’t know Ms. Anastasia Donnell, so they refused to come to sign!” Alex shouted as she cried.
After that, I heard an unfamiliar voice, “The heart rate is dropping! We can’t delay the surgery any longer! Hurry! Push her to the operating room!”
Chapter 2My parents knew my phone number, but they didn’t answer it because they were afraid that others would know about my relationship with them. At such a critical moment between life and death, their hearts were even colder and crueler than I thought! It really broke my heart.
When I woke up, Alex was sitting by the bed and sobbing softly.
"Thank you,” I told her with my hoarse voice as I forced a smile.
Immediately, Alex poured a cup of warm water for me. She then took a straw and inserted it into the cup before she handed it to my lips. As always, she was the one who cared for me more than my family.
“Miss Olivia, you really scared me to death! The doctor issued two critical illness notices. I also called your parents countless times, but they hung up first. After that, they just ignored my calls,” she said.
The moment I heard it, my throat felt as if it was blocked by cotton.
I swallowed a few mouthfuls of water with difficulty and shook her hand as I thanked her, “You are my ... lifesaver.”
After all, if it weren’t for Alex’s call, I might have really died at home. In that case, would my parents and sister be sad? Definitely not. The three of them would probably just blame me for not knowing where to die and making a good house dirty.
Meanwhile, Alex called a doctor to check on me and bought me some daily necessities. After that, I asked her to hire a nurse for me. But my assistant said she was worried and insisted on taking care of me herself. This was the first time I was taken care of by someone since I was a child, which made me feel uncomfortable.
Alex noticed that I was uncomfortable with it, so she reassured me as she smiled, “Just treat me as your own sister and do whatever you want.”
Not even Olivia was as good as Alex was. Somehow, it truly moved me and made me work hard to hold back my tears. If only my family would be this sincere.
Every day, I would check on my phone. My colleagues and friends knew that I was sick. Those who were free came to the hospital to see me while those who weren’t free called and sent WhatsApp. Only my family didn’t send a single message or call. That truly broke me.
From then on, I drafted an estrangement letter to cut my ties with them. After I was discharged from the hospital, I took it home. I had enough with my so-called family who didn’t even treat me right.
As soon as I entered the door, my mother greeted me with a sarcastic remark, “Oh, hello, Ms. Donnell. It seems that you still remember to come home, huh? Since you secured a big project, you’ve become too arrogant. I think we can no longer make you stay here since you’re already too cocky!”
My father sneered in agreement at my mother’s sarcastic remark.
Meanwhile, Olivia didn’t even bother to look at me as she admired her new starry blue manicure and joined as she made a sarcastic remark, “How can she not go back home, Mom? Who will cook and clean up the house then? Although she’s not that good, it’s better than nothing!”
Mom immediately agreed as she said, “Oh, yeah, that’s right! Anastasia, you just went out for a few days, but the house was so messy that there was no place to put your feet. We ordered takeout for several days and almost vomited. Hurry up, cook and clean up the whole house!"
However, I straight-up ignored them and packed my things by myself. Seeing me dragging out the suitcase, the three of them were stunned. In fact, my father was so angry that he picked up the teapot and threw it at me.
“You're such a bad daughter! Since you went out, you’ve become so arrogant and tried to run from your home, huh?”
Although I dodged quickly, the teapot still hit me. It caused my cheek to get scratched. I couldn't help but gasp in pain.
My mother was upset with my reaction as she mockingly yelled at me, “Oh, goodness! Just because you failed to make us believe your fake sickness, you’re trying to run from home? I think we’re too good to you and have spoiled you to make you to be the bad, ungrateful daughter that you are!”
I couldn’t help but sneer as I retorted, “You’re too good to me? This is really the funniest joke I have ever heard!”
Without letting them speak, “When I was born, you threw me to the countryside to be raised by my grandmother. For more than ten years, you haven’t visited me once and you haven't even called me.”
Chapter 3I no longer held back as I kept talking, “Grandma begged you to take me back before she died, but what did you guys do? Just because my sister wouldn't let me sleep in the bedroom, you forced me to sleep on the sofa every single night.”
“While my sister ate, drank and had fun as she enjoyed all the love from her parents, did you remember how you had treated me? You treated me like a nanny. You also refused to give me any pocket money after I turned 18,” I continued angrily.
My parents’ face immediately changed. But I told the real truth. Obviously, they were forced into silence.
My sister pointed at my nose as she angrily shouted at me, “You’re getting cocky now, Anastasia! So, you’re starting to settle accounts, right? If our parents hadn’t taken you back and given you a room to live in, you would have been a beggar on the street. You’re an ungrateful bitch, you don’t deserve to be your parents' daughter!”
I couldn’t help but retort, “Do you even give me a room in a house this big? Let me ask you then, which one is my room in this huge house?”
When Olivia opened her mouth to answer, she went silent after a few seconds because she was embarrassed. After that, she turned around and threw herself into her mother’s arms and sobbed.
“Anastasia is blaming you guys for being mean to her. It’s surely hard for you guys to raise both of us. I can get it, but she can’t understand at all!” she shouted, pretending to cry.
Olivia was best at crying and making people side with her. When my parents saw her crying, they were upset. That was always the case.
My mother gently patted my sister’s back and glared at me as she angrily scolded me, “Anastasia, Olivia is never in good health. You know that very well, so what’s wrong if we care more for her? You’re the eldest, so you must learn to live hard to make sure you’re able to control your emotions! You’re such an ungrateful daughter!”
Again, they were trying to guilt trip me. In the past, I would be fooled and believe them after they argued. But I was no longer the submissive Anastasia.
“Me being an ungrateful daughter? Do you know where I have been these days? I had such terrible gastrointestinal pain that day. If my assistant hadn’t taken me to the hospital, I would have died! If I really died, would you even grieve for me?” I angrily asked them.
After that, I threw the medical records and examination forms in front of them. The documents were clear. Not only that but there were official seals of the hospitals. So, it couldn’t be faked at all.
My parents glanced at me before they scanned the documents. Without further ado, their expression changed. They became quiet.
Without letting them speak, I told them, “I was in such critical condition at that time and needed surgery immediately. My assistant, Alex, called you to go to the hospital to sign the document to proceed to the surgery. But what did you do? You said you didn’t know me. You didn’t even answer her calls.”
After that, I continued, “Look at these fucking forms! I was given two critical illness notices. Where were you at that time? You were outside celebrating Olivia’s birthday! Did you know that day almost became my death anniversary?”
As soon as I finished speaking, a teacup was thrown straight at me. It was too fast, so I was unable to dodge it. My forehead got hit immediately. Soon enough, the blood flowed out from my forehead which blurred my vision.
“Anastasia, you ungrateful bitch! It seems we really raised you in vain! Your sister is several years younger than you. She even knows that it’s hard for us to raise you two. What about you? You’re already in your 20s, but you’re not mature at all! We raised you, but you hated us, huh?”
However, I ignored him. Instead, I took out a tissue and pressed my forehead to stop the bleeding. When the bleeding stopped, I slowly raised my head and looked directly into my father’s eyes. This time, I was enraged.
“You guys didn’t raise me! It was Grandma who raised me! When I was a kid, I was hospitalized for pneumonia. My grandma called you to ask for medical fees, but you refused to give her a penny. My life isn’t worth even a few hundred dollars in your eyes. How dare you say such things!" I shouted back at my father with a much louder voice.
For several times, my father’s mouth twitched. His face darkened. Just when the man raised his hand to hit me, I pinched his wrist so hard that he couldn't move.
My father angrily asked me, “Did you even know how could you become the Sales Director? If you didn’t have me as the CEO-”
Chapter 4Without further ado, I cut him off as I angrily, “Don’t you dare tell me such a blatant lie! Ever since I joined the company, I’ve been the sales champion every year. I became the Sales Director because of how good my work is! It’s got nothing to do with you being the CEO!”
My father went quiet again. I wanted to see what else they could prove that they loved me as their daughter. The endless silence was the best answer.
These people knew what kind of life I had lived these years. No matter how their arguments were, it was useless. They always said that Olivia had poor health. However, her annual physical examination showed that she was in good health while I had long-term anemia and poor digestion.
In the end, my parents were just making excuses for their failure. Since I returned to this family, my parents had thrown my sister to me to be taken care of. Ever since she was a child, Olivia had a bad temper and liked to find my fault. Not only that, she would also beat and kick me.
If I defended myself even a little bit, my parents would beat and scold me severely. But if I didn’t defend myself, Olivia would make lies. It had always been like that. Not giving me food, locking me up in a small dark room and being punished to stand or kneel on the balcony on snowy days were all my daily routine.
Once I had a high fever and cried and begged them not to punish me. My father said I was pretending to be sick as he grabbed my hair and threw me out the door. That night, I almost froze to death outside.
When they needed me to go to a gathering with relatives and friends, they would put on beautiful clothes for me and gently say that those punishments were just them trying to give me lessons. They would threaten to leave me if I told anyone about their mistreatment of me.
As soon as I got home, they urged me to take off the beautiful clothes because they rented them and had to return them to the owner. At that time, I always envied my sister for living a princess-like life with the best food, clothing, housing, transportation and travel. I even fantasized that my parents would see my goodness one day and give me a little love.
Day after day, year after year then passed. My fantasy was replaced by disappointment bit by bit. Until even the disappointment was enough, but it eventually turned into despair.
At this point, Olivia suddenly stopped throwing tantrums as she walked towards me step by step.
“Anastasia, Dad didn’t mean it. Please just forgive him. Does the wound still hurt? Do you want me to help you deal with it?”
When Olivia stretched out her hand to hold my arm as she looked at me with fake pity, I mercilessly shook her off. Although I didn’t even use any force, she shouted and fell quickly even though my palm pressed the broken pieces of the teacup so that she wouldn’t get hurt.
“Anastasia, I care about you and wish for you to reconcile with Mom and Dad! Why do you treat me like this? My hands are the hands for playing the piano. I’m going to participate in the competition next week. You are so cruel …”
Immediately, my parents panicked and rushed over to hug Olivia. My sister immediately cried in her mother's arms. This made my father furious.
The man grabbed me by my collar and glared at me as he shouted, “How could we give birth to such a monster like you? Apologize to your sister now! Otherwise, don’t you blame me for turning against you!”