The Meal Before Everything

The 'rival' label suddenly made my adoptive parents see me in a new light.

Janet, recalling my mad cooking skills, dabbed at her eyes.

"Mom and Dad, if it wasn't for Christina stealing my life for all these years, I wouldn't have had to quit middle school. Now, marrying the richest guy is my only shot at turning my life around. You've got to help me out here!"

When my mother heard that, she shot me a fierce look and snapped. "Christina, your sister's got a point. Just drop out of this contest and let Janet have her chance!"

I blurted out without thinking, "Why should I?"

They were the ones who had pushed me into that bride contest, and then, they tried to push me out. Why did they get to pull the strings in my life again and again?

My father, Matthew Cooper, with his quick temper, came at me and slapped me hard.

"You've been living off the Cooper family for years! Without us, you'd be out on the streets! You've hogged Janet's life for eighteen years. Don't you think you owe her? We didn't make you slave away for us. We've been more than generous!"

Janet clutched my hand, putting on a pitiful act. "Sis, you've got the degrees and the cooking skills. You'll do just fine on your own! Let me have this chance!

"When I'm the tycoon's wife, I'll make sure you marry well! If that doesn't work out, with my help, you could always cook for the rich and famous. Then, our family will never have to split up."

Janet looked like she was begging, but her words were laced with challenge.

Fuming, I yanked my hand away and shot back. "Janet, let's not forget who paid for your makeover before the talent show. If I hadn't used all my savings to turn you into a bombshell, your freckles would've sent the tycoon running for the hills.

"As for you two..."

I stared down at my adoptive parents, my voice heavy with sorrow.

"You always claim you're the ones taking care of me, but since we landed in Indoria, when have you ever even tried to find work? If I hadn't been slaving away, making pancakes from dawn till dusk, we'd probably all be starving!

"Now, that there's a shot at marrying into riches, you're ready to toss me aside. How can you be so utterly shameless?"

Fiona, red with rage, lunged at me, aiming a kick in my direction.

I dodged, and she lost her balance, crashing to the ground.

She wailed, "Oh, the Cooper family must be cursed to have taken in such an ingrate! If I'd known what a cold-hearted creature you were, I never would've taken you in. I should have sold you off to Myawadi in Mienbor and at least made some money!"

Her cries quickly attracted a crowd of rubberneckers.

Janet, hunched over, smeared my name in front of them all, pleading.

"Sis, please don't make me quit the contest! I know I can't compare to you, but I really do adore Mr. Loris."

Matthew yanked her to her feet and, jabbing a finger at me, shouted, "Janet, don't beg her! The Coopers don't harbor such a cold-hearted beast. If she abandoned her family, then she's no sister of yours!"

The clueless crowd, drawn in by the drama, started pointing fingers at me.

They were trying to back me into a corner, but I was not about to give in to their wishes.

With an icy laugh, I said, "You've all heard it straight from the horse's mouth. The Coopers have cut me off. From this moment on, they and I are done. We're no longer family.

"Whatever happens to the Coopers from now on, good or bad, has nothing to do with me!"