Love in Warzone

"Don't cry, Melissa," my mother soothed gently. "Once your sister gets back, I'll make her give up the spot for you."

Sam pressed his lips together in silence, while my father slammed his cup down on the table.

"Claire," he said sternly, "come here and explain yourself."

With a bandage wrapped around my forehead and my face pale from the hospital, I stepped into the living room.

Four pairs of eyes turned to me in unison. All cold. All accusing.

Not a single one asked how I was feeling. No one cared that I had just been discharged.

Melissa, eyes red and brimming with tears, raised her acceptance letter.

"Claire, you already have everything. Why do you have to steal my chance to study abroad too?"

I had everything?

My fingernails dug deep into my palm.

What exactly did I have?

Our parents' love? That belonged to her.

Sam's heart? Also hers.

Even the sunniest bedroom in the house was hers.

And now, the opportunity I had fought tooth and nail for… Was she going to take that too?

Just because I was born two years earlier, I was destined to always be the one who gives in?

I was the one who had everything taken from me, yet here I stood like some sort of thief, being judged by my own family.

"Claire," Sam said, rising to his feet. His gaze was cold. "Give the spot to Melissa."

I looked at him. "She didn't even pass the entrance exam. I got a perfect score. Why should I give it to her?"

My father slammed the table and stood up. "Because you don't need it!"

My mother, cradling a sobbing Melissa, chimed in, "Claire, don't take your anger out on your sister's future."

When I remained silent, Melissa suddenly began to cough violently.

Sam swiftly retrieved her asthma inhaler, dropping to one knee to press it to her lips. "Don't be scared, Melissa. I'm here."

"Claire," my mother said, eyes red and pleading, "you know Melissa's health isn't good. You're the older sister. And you're so capable. What's wrong with letting her have this one thing?"

I looked at the people in front of me—my closest family—all pressing in, forcing me to surrender.

Because I was stronger. Because my sister was weak.

So I gave up the toys.

I gave up the bedroom.

I gave up our parents' love.

In my previous life, the one thing I refused to give up was Sam. But even then, his heart was always hers.

They all sat together now, like a picture-perfect family portrait. And I stood alone in the shadows, forever the outsider.

"I earned that acceptance letter with my own abilities," I said calmly. "But it doesn't matter anymore. I'll let the department head know I'll forfeit the chance to study abroad."

Studying abroad and advancing my career had once been my dream. But I had already chosen to join the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces. There was no need to cling to anything else.

Originally, I had only returned home to say I was giving up the spot, and to say a proper goodbye. I hadn't expected to be robbed of even that.

So be it.

For a brief moment, Sam's expression faltered. He frowned and looked at me.

But Melissa's sudden sobbing quickly pulled his attention away.

"Sam, my chest hurts…"

"I'll take you to the hospital," he said without hesitation.

He scooped her up in his arms and walked out, not sparing me so much as a glance.

My parents followed after them, concern etched on their faces.

All the love and care I had once dreamed of, I didn't receive it in my past life. And in this one, it still wasn't mine.

I forced back the tears welling in my eyes and smiled faintly. "It's alright, Claire. You'll be just fine on your own."

My phone suddenly buzzed in my hand. I picked up.

"Claire, we're calling to confirm the final floral arrangements for your wedding venue. Shall we go with the champagne roses you liked best?"

My grip on the phone tightened, knuckles turning white.

In my previous life, I had married Sam. And I had arranged every detail of the wedding myself.