Chapter 1

In eighteen years, this was the first time my mother had ever celebrated my birthday.

To prove that I didn’t look down on the cake my sister made, I ate it.

Even though it was covered in peanut butter, which I was deadly allergic to.

Suffocation hit me instantly. I clutched my throat, collapsing to the floor in agony, but my mother didn’t even spare me a glance.

"What are you acting for? Chloe was nice enough to bake this for you. Who are you trying to get sympathy from?"

She grabbed Chloe's hand, her face filled with disgust.

"Let’s go, Chloe. I’ll take you out to get some fresh air. Ignore this ungrateful brat."

The heavy front door slammed shut, cutting off my last, faint cry for help.

I lay on the cold hardwood floor, my airway swelling shut, millimeter by millimeter.

As my soul slowly drifted upward, I looked at the direction my mother had left, my heart filled with a strange guilt.

I’m sorry, Mom. I ruined the very first birthday you ever gave me.

"Audrey, try some! Your sister spent the whole night learning how to bake this just for you."

Chloe pushed a neat slice of cake in front of me.

The cake looked exquisite, radiating a rich, heavy scent of roasted peanuts.

I stared at the plate, my palms breaking into a cold sweat.

I had a severe peanut allergy.

Just one tiny bite could trigger acute laryngeal edema, or even anaphylactic shock.

But this was the first time in eighteen years that anyone had celebrated my birthday.

Growing up, every single birthday party in this house was for Chloe.

Today, my mother had unexpectedly announced she wanted to celebrate mine.

I had even put on my favorite white dress for the occasion.

I foolishly thought that, finally, my mother was seeing me.

"I... I can't eat this."

I gently pushed the plate away, my voice trembling.

The smile on Chloe's face froze.

Her eyes welled with tears instantly, looking incredibly hurt.

"Audrey, are you still blaming me?"

"Do you hate me because you think I stole Mom’s love? Is that why you won't even touch the cake I made with my own hands?"

She sniffled, reaching out to take the plate back.

"It's fine. Since you hate it so much, I'll just throw it away. It’s my fault for being useless."

"Bang!"

My mother slammed her hand onto the dining table.

The forks and knives on the plates rattled loudly.

"Audrey! That is enough!"

My mother glared at me, her eyes filled with disappointment and disgust.

"Your sister burned her fingers on the oven just to make you a birthday cake!"

"Who do you think you are, putting on airs like this?"

I shook my head frantically, tears of panic stinging my eyes.

"Mom, no, that's not it. I really can't eat peanuts..."

"Don't talk back to me!"

My mother cut me off instantly.

"Everyone else can eat them. Why are you so special? Why are you so delicate?"

"When are you going to stop this pathetic habit of faking illnesses just to get attention?"

I froze.

It felt as if a needle had been driven straight into my heart.

To her, whenever my body failed me, I was just "acting for attention."

"You are eating this cake today, whether you like it or not!"

My mother pointed a finger toward the front door, her voice freezing cold.

"If you dare trample on your sister’s kindness like this..."

"Then pack your things and get out of my house!"

"And don't ever call me your mother again!"

Cutting ties.

Those words felt like a mountain crushing down on my chest.

I looked at my mother's angry face, then at the fleeting smirk at the corner of Chloe's lips.

I was so desperate for maternal love.

Even if it was just a tiny, pitying crumb of it.

With trembling fingers, I picked up the fork.

I scooped up a large piece of cake and shoved it into my mouth.

"I'll eat it."

I forced down the rising nausea in my throat and swallowed.

It was so sweet.

So sweet it tasted bitter.