- 9.
High school became the most peaceful period
L
of my life. I even spent most of my holidays in
the dorm, using studying as an excuse. The
Evans family didn’t seem to notice or care. I
heard they were busy shuttling Lily between
doctors and tutors, neglecting their business
and even cutting back on my allowance.
Fortunately, I had achieved financial
independence early on and no longer relied
on them.
From a young age, I had a knack for spotting
valuable artwork. In my past life, however, my
father and Lily had convinced me that mixing
art and money was shameful. They preached
about artistic purity while secretly selling the
pieces I’d identified, pocketing the profits.
This time, I saw through their hypocrisy and
entrusted my investments to the principal.
Watching the numbers in my bank account
grow gave me a sense of security I’d never
く
known. Money, I realized, was true freedom.
One weekend, the Hugheses planned a picnic
in the park. The principal went to park the
car, and Ryan and I went to find a spot on the
lawn. I had been looking forward to it, but my
good mood evaporated when I saw the Evans
family approaching.
Lily, clinging to David’s arm, walked ahead,
followed by my parents. Their smiles faltered
when they saw me.
Upon seeing me, Lily immediately hid behind
David, as if I were a monster. Her fragile act
triggered David’s protective instincts. He
glared at me. “So much for studying. You
lied.”
Lily then noticed Ryan beside me and bit her
lip. “Ashley… are you on a date? Mom and
Dad were so worried. You didn’t even come
home for the holidays. And you lied to them…
You’ve changed so much since starting high
school…”
My parents stared at me and Ryan, aghast.
“Ashley Evans! You’re sneaking around with
boys and lying to your parents?! Do you want
to give us heart attacks?!”
“Why can’t you be obedient and sweet like
Lily?!”
The four of them bombarded me with
accusations, not giving me a chance to
explain. Even Ryan, who knew about their
bias, was taken aback.
