The Forgotten Twin Chapter 02
After the ranking examination ended, Clara happily wrapped her arms around Mom and acted like a spoiled child.
“Mom, since Madeline didn’t take the exam, I felt amazing today. Maybe I’ll even get a perfect score and become an SSS-ranked she-wolf.”
Mom affectionately stroked her hair, “Of course you will. You’re the best. Madeline could never compare to you. So, tell me. What gift do you want?”
Clara tilted her head before suddenly looking at me.
“I did so well, and you’re still giving me a gift. Why not give it to Madeline instead? Think of it as cheering her up in advance.”
Clara was always like this. She made it sound as though she cared about me, yet every word was meant to put me down.
William smiled as he pulled out his phone.
“Clara, you did so well on the ranking exam, and you’re still thinking about Madeline. You definitely deserve a reward. Even though Madeline didn’t take the exam, you still asked for a gift for her.”
“How about I send each of you a cash gift?”
The moment he finished speaking, both Clara’s phone and mine chimed with incoming transfer notifications.
“William, you’re the best! Eight thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight dollars! I love you so much!”
Clara squealed as she threw her arms around William and planted a loud kiss on his cheek.
“Madeline, hurry and check how much our brother sent you!”
Before I could reach for my phone, Thomas picked it up first and opened the transfer notification.
$0.01.
Clara immediately looked at William as though she were standing up for me, “William, you’re being way too unfair. How could you send Madeline so little?”
William spread his hands innocently, “Clara, you’re accusing me unfairly. You earned an SSS rank on the exam, so your reward is $8,888.”
“Madeline didn’t even take the exam. Honestly, even one cent was more than she deserved.”
Clara nodded thoughtfully, “That actually makes sense.”
“Madeline, you really can’t blame William. It’s your stomach that let you down.”
Without saying a word, I took my phone back from Thomas. Then I stood up, ready to leave.
After all, whether I stayed or not, the person they were celebrating was always Clara.
“Madeline.”
Clara suddenly called after me, “You’re not upset because I did so well, are you?”
Before I could answer, Mom, William, and Thomas all looked at me with guarded expressions, afraid I might upset Clara.
“No, I’m just going to my room to get your gift.”
As soon as I walked into my room, my eyes landed on the things I had treasured most.
A Royal Fang Academy hoodie.
Thomas had given it to me and said, “I’ll be waiting for you at Royal Fang.”
A brass fountain pen.
It was from William. He had told me, “You’re definitely going to succeed in your studies.”
A moonstone charm.
Mom had bought it for me at the Temple of the Moon Goddess.
She had smiled and said, “The Moon Goddess will bless you and make you an SSS-ranked warrior.”
Now… I didn’t want any of them anymore. Just as I no longer wanted the people who had given them to me.
I picked up the gifts and returned to the living room.
“Clara, these are for you.”
The moment Mom saw what I was holding, her expression changed, “Madeline, isn’t that the moonstone charm I bought for you?”
I smiled, “Yes, Mom. I don’t have much money, so I couldn’t buy you anything new. I could only give Clara the things I treasured most.”
Mom froze, “Didn’t I tell your brother to give you spending money?”
William scratched his head awkwardly, “Clara’s emotions have been unstable, so I’ve been spending all the money on cheering her up. Madeline doesn’t really need to spend money anyway. Think of it as her doing her part to help make Clara feel better.”
At that moment, I suddenly found it laughable.
Clara had poor grades and unstable emotions. She could have anything she wanted.
Meanwhile, I couldn’t even afford a pair of training shoes. I had to earn every dollar myself through part-time jobs.
They never noticed that I came home late every night after work. Because every time I returned, they were busy comforting Clara.
In their hearts… I probably never mattered at all.
Since Clara was so important to them…
Since they trusted her so completely…
Then I might as well give them a very special gift.
“Mom, didn’t Clara say you should buy me a gift to cheer me up? I don’t need comforting. I just want you to give her a new gift on my behalf.”
Mom looked at me, pleased by how considerate I seemed.
She smiled warmly, “What do you want to give her? I’ll make it happen.”
I looked at her and smiled, “Let’s hold an Honor Banquet for Clara.”
“Invite everyone in our pack, along with all of our allied packs, and celebrate her achievement together.”