After divorcing my father, Mary took me away and married Sam, giving birth to Tony and Yolanda.
At that time, I was not liked by Sam. I remember that every time he came back home, he would only bring two toys or food.
One was for Tony and one for Yolanda.
He didn't even look at me after giving gifts to them.
As I pinched the corner of my clothes, I wanted to say that I wanted a gift too, but Mary immediately pulled me into the kitchen and said, "Alice, you are already eight years old. Why are you still so greedy? Those things are expensive. You are their sister. You should give in to your younger brother and sister.
"You need to be more sensible and don't let me lose face in front of Sam.
"You have to learn to please him, so you will have a good life. Come on, help me cook the dinner."
At dinner time, three-year-old Tony and Yolanda were sitting around Mary and Sam at a four-seater dining table.
I tactfully sat on the small stool in the kitchen.
Mary's face was filled with a smug smile, and she said to Sam, "I didn't lie to you. I told you Alice is very sensible."
It was at this time that I would see a slight smile on Sam's face.
Seeing Sam smile, Mary smiled more happily.
That night, I ate the half chicken leg left by Tony.
Mary said it was a reward given to me by Sam.
At that time, I understood what Mary meant when she said that if I pleased him, I would have a good life.
However, after I turned twelve, the situation seemed a little complicated.
2
The sound of a phone thrown to the ground made me come back to my senses.
In the living room, Tony was so angry that his face turned red and he punched the wall again and again.
"Alice is deliberately making things difficult for me. If it weren't for her, Dad's leg wouldn't have been injured. If Dad's leg hadn't been injured, I wouldn't have needed to count on her to buy a house.
"If Olivia and I can't get engaged, I won't forgive Alice!"
Floating next to him and feeling his anger, I felt inexplicably refreshed.
Mary rushed over and checked Tony's hand, with her face full of worry. "Don't hurt yourself. Don't worry. I will never tolerate such a useless person in our family. I will ask Alice to transfer the money to us.
"I'll let her take full responsibility for your father's injured leg."
She called my number several times, but my phone was still turned off.