During high school, the relationship between Olivia and Sophia became even more complex. Olivia excelled academically, while Sophia was sociable and popular.
Every time Olivia answered correctly in class, her classmates sighed and muttered, “There she goes again.”
While she was proud of her talent, Olivia was tormented by loneliness. She immersed herself in libraries and labs, finding her worth through knowledge absorption.
One day, during a chemistry experiment, Olivia made a remarkable discovery. Her results challenged textbook theories. Excited, she reported to her teacher, who praised her talent.
But the joy was short-lived.
Sophia suddenly appeared and said, “Are you trying to draw attention with your weird experiments again? I’ll tell Mom and Dad.”
Olivia was speechless.
Why couldn’t her sister be happy for her success? Why was she always trying to crush her?
That evening, her parents scolded Olivia harshly.
“Don’t cause trouble for the teacher with unnecessary actions,” her father scolded. “Just sit quietly in class,” her mother added.
Olivia cried in her room, pondering why her talent was seen as a sin. That night, she resolved to find a place where her talents would be recognized and to achieve success so undeniable that everyone would have to acknowledge her value.
One day, Olivia formed a group with girls she met in art class. They understood and accepted her intellectual side. For the first time, Olivia felt the warmth of friendship.
They gathered at a cafe after school, passionately discussing art, science, and philosophy. Olivia freely expressed her opinions on every topic, impressing her friends with her knowledge and insight.
“Olivia, you’re really interesting,” her friend Jessica said. “I wonder why I didn’t get to know you sooner.”
Olivia felt she had finally found a place where she belonged. But this happiness was short-lived.
Sophia wanted to join the group. She couldn’t bear Olivia becoming close to anyone else.
One afternoon, Sophia approached Olivia’s group.
“Hey, let me join too,” she said sweetly.
Olivia’s friends were hesitant, knowing how Sophia had treated Olivia.
“Sorry, Sophia,” Jessica said kindly. “But this group is…”
Sophia’s expression turned fierce. “Why won’t you let me join?”
Sophia’s voice of anger echoed in the hallway. “You’re the worst sister.”
That night, Sophia complained to their parents, crying that Olivia was being mean and wouldn’t let her join the friend group. Their parents sided with Sophia.
“Olivia, why can’t you be more compassionate?” her mother Eleanor’s reproachful words stung. “Sophia is your sister. Try to get along better.”
Olivia tried to stand by her decision, but it wasn’t easy. There were nights when she cried into her pillow.
Why did she have to suffer like this? Why couldn’t her parents understand her feelings?
However, this experience made her stronger. Olivia learned that her value lay not in others’ judgments, but within herself. She dedicated herself even more to her studies, setting her sights on a future goal.
To succeed on Wall Street. That was her form of revenge and self-affirmation.
In her final year of high school, Olivia won a national mathematics contest. Her name became known throughout the school and was even featured in the local newspaper.
For the first time, Olivia tasted the joy of having her talent recognized.
However, this joy was fleeting as new problems arose at home. Sophia was jealous of Olivia’s success, fearing that their parents’ attention would shift to Olivia.
One day, Sophia told their parents a lie about Olivia. Sophia told them that Olivia had a secret boyfriend and was using drugs.
James confronted Olivia harshly.
“Is it true?” his voice trembled with anger. “I can’t believe you would do such a thing.”
Olivia tried desperately to explain, but he wouldn’t listen to her. Eleanor just stood there silently.
“Why won’t you believe me?” Olivia pleaded through tears. “I’ve always been honest. You only believe Sophia’s words.”
However, their parents’ attitude remained unchanged. In their eyes, Sophia was always right, and Olivia was the problem child.
Filled with anger and disappointment, Olivia strongly accused Sophia.
“Why would you lie like that?” she shouted. “What have I ever done to you?”
Then suddenly, Sophia pushed Olivia. Olivia hit her head on a shelf behind her, and blood gushed from her nose. The betrayal from her family hurt more deeply than the physical pain.
Their parents took Olivia to the hospital, but they continued to defend Sophia.
“It was an accident,” James repeated. “Sophia didn’t mean it.”
Alone in the hospital waiting room, Olivia sat quietly. The pain in her head and heart mingled, and tears filled her eyes.
A nurse approached her kindly.
“Are you okay? What happened?” Her voice was warm.
Olivia hesitated. Olivia had never spoken to anyone about her family’s issues before. But Olivia felt she couldn’t endure it anymore.
Olivia took a deep breath and began to tell her everything. The nurse listened intently, nodding occasionally.
When Olivia finished, she spoke quietly. “I’m worried about your safety. May I contact Child Protective Services?”
Olivia hesitated for a moment, but then nodded. She thought this might be the only way to change the situation.
CPS’s involvement caused a huge stir in the family. Her parents were furious and blamed Olivia.
“Why did you do that?” Eleanor’s scream echoed through the hospital corridors. “How could you let outsiders know about our family issues? You betrayed your family.”
James looked at Olivia coldly. “You are now a disgrace to our family. Don’t ever show your face again.”
Olivia listened to her parents’ words with tears streaming down her face. Her heart felt like it was being torn apart, but she also felt a strange sense of liberation.
As a result of this incident, Olivia moved in with her grandparents. Her parents hardly resisted. In fact, they seemed almost relieved that Olivia was leaving the house.
At her grandparents’ home, Olivia experienced the warmth of a true family for the first time.
Olivia woke up to the smell of her grandmother’s breakfast every morning, and at night, she enjoyed philosophical conversations with her grandfather while stargazing.
“Life isn’t easy, Olivia,” her grandfather said. “But with each difficulty you overcome, you become stronger. Don’t forget, you have infinite potential.”
After graduating from high school, Olivia received a full scholarship to Columbia University. The moment Olivia stepped onto the campus, she felt a surge of emotion.
Here, she could start a new life. No one knew her past. No one saw her as Sophia’s sister, but as Olivia.
University life was full of surprises for Olivia. Her intelligence and diligence were highly regarded, and she became well known among the professors. Her friends accepted and respected her unique personality.
Olivia particularly shone in economics classes. Her sharp analytical skills and original thinking amazed the professors.
One day, a renowned professor stopped her.
“Olivia, your latest report was excellent,” he smiled. “You have great potential. Would you be interested in working on Wall Street?”
Olivia’s eyes lit up. This was the opportunity she had been waiting for.
However, occasionally, when she remembered her family, she felt a painful tightening in her chest.
Her contact with her parents was rare, mostly just a birthday card sent her way. She heard nothing from Sophia.
Sometimes, Olivia would look through her family albums. Pictures of her smiling parents and Sophia, with her standing on the edge. Each time she saw those photos, her heart filled with complex emotions.
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