CHAPTER 3 NOT CHANGING CLOTHES

　　 You can’t talk about me like that, Marai was about to say when Selina suddenly interrupted and reprimanded Jordan. “How will you talk to your sister like this? I didn’t teach you to be like this, Jordan. Will you talk to me the same way one day? Beg for forgiveness now!” Tears flowed down her cheeks. “Tell her you are sorry.” Selina said to Jordan:. Jordan suddenly felt guilty and started to apologize to Selina. “Sister I am so sorry; I didn’t mean it.” Jack panicked and grabbed Selina’s hand. "Selina, dear, don’t cry anymore. You know you have that podcast to record today; you don’t want to show up as their guest with swollen eyes. Regina and Abel tried to comfort Selina. “Yes, baby girl, Jordan wouldn’t insult you like that ever; he respects you, and if he tries it, I won’t hesitate to discipline him.” Abel said he was trying to make Selina feel better. “Are you sure?” Selina asked softly. “Yes, my sweet girl.” Abel responded. “Okay,” Selina said, smiling. “Yes, finally, my sister is smiling again,” Jordan shouted happily. Selina just glared at him and collected the napkin Regina gave her to carefully wipe her tears and not destroy her makeup. The four of them were acting as if they were part of a heartwarming family show. The scene made Marai shake her head because she could see through all the pretense. Jordan's words had left them all oblivious to who was truly offended. Marai turned to leave carefully and calmly, but Selina spotted her in the corner of her eyes and called out to her. “Sister, I want you to come with me for a program I have to record. The program allows us to bring two people, preferably family members. Would you like to come?” Selina inquired, looking adorable and fragile. Marai just stared at her coldly and said nothing. Selina felt uncomfortable, with a shiver going down her spine. To ease her discomfort, she said, “It’s fine if you don’t want to come, sister. It is alright; I won’t feel bad. She said her eyes were becoming teary again. "Sister, don’t call her! It is a top-notch show. How do you expect a lowlife like her to come along? Let her stay by herself. She knows nothing about shows like that; she will just go there and make you embarrassed, Jordan said, hatefully remembering how Selina was crying a few minutes ago." If she hadn’t returned at this moment and stayed out late doing God knows what, my sister would not have been mad at me to the point of crying. She is just so annoying and causes problems everywhere she goes, Jordan thought. “I didn’t want to go with her either; Jordan, don’t address me like that,” Marai replied coldly to Jordan, and he was stunned. “You country girl that knows nothing but farm animals!” Jordan yelled furiously, and Marai was surprised. Abel’s face darkened. This was supposedly his biological daughter; he was so ashamed. “You are so old, yet you lack common reasoning!” Then he looked admirably at Selina and said, "Dear Child, do not mind whatever this foolish girl said." I’ll give you money to go shopping with your mother.” Selina smiled like a cute little girl and said, "Thank you so much, father. I can give my sister some of my clothes.” She said she was portraying the ideal good daughter. “I don’t need so many clothes either; we can save some money,” Selina continued. Regina smiled warmly, like a very proud mother. “No need to think about saving, dear; we have more than enough. You can shop for anything you want, my good daughter.” Regina spoke, staring at Marai with resentment. Watching these four people turn it into a praise session exclusively for Selina, Marai couldn't care less, sneering. “Sorry to interrupt your happy family moments, but like I said, Jordan, keep my name out of your mouth. Father, you and Mother both know I am your biological daughter, and that will never change. And who said I pushed Selina? I have more than enough proof I didn’t do it, Marai said calmly. “So, what do you say? Do you really want to know how Selina fell?” Marai asked with a smirk. Selina felt fear go up her gut, and she shifted uncomfortably on her chair. She knew Marai didn’t push her; she simply slipped and fell, but it felt good to blame Marai for it. “Why are you bringing this up?” “What are you driving at Marai? You are trying to start up issues,” Abel glared at her. In order to stop Marai from exposing her, Selina started crying again: “I thought we had gone past this; all of these things happened a while ago; why are we still talking about it? I have forgiven my sister; please forgive her too, mother and father.” Marai laughed. “Of course, I should be forgiven for wrongs I didn’t commit. Mother and father, what do you think? Marai looked at them, speaking sarcastically. She was living a perfectly fine life with her foster family when these people found her, and now they are trying to make her life uncomfortable. Truly unreasonable. Marai went to her room, shaking her head. Since she hasn’t graduated from the university, she had to stay with his people. If they weren’t going to make life comfortable for her, then it wouldn’t be comfortable for them either. Marai had things to do, so she packed up her bag and decided to leave. As she reached the front door, someone held on to her wrist, and she looked back to see Selina. Selina’s eyes were full of mockery and hate, but then she quickly changed her expression, making her face look warm and her eyes reflect love, but Marai saw it already. "Sister, please don’t leave; don’t be angry with us. I am sorry if we said anything you don’t like.” She said it pitifully. Marai felt agitated, so she took a deep breath and laughed, looking at Selina. “Drop the act already; no one is watching, and you look ridiculous. Marai said, snatching her wrist from Selina's hold. Selina looked like she wanted to say something but decided against it after looking around. Marai laughed. “So now you have to pretend in front of the workers as well?” Marai asked, nodding in the direction of the gardener outside. “How pathetic,” she said, looking funnily at Selina, whose face had turned sour. "Sister, what are you talking about?” Selina asked in a clueless manner, but her eyes said something different. Marai could clearly see through her façade, and she looked at her smiling. “You should have been an actress; you have the natural gift of acting; it’s a pity you are wasting your talents,” Marai riled her up some more. “What do you mean?” Selina was confused. “You know what I mean, you sly fox,” Marai responded coldly. "Sister, please stop being like this,” Selina said, faking her tears. “I really don’t have time for this today; maybe another day. With all of that being said, it was fun to do this; how about doing this another time?” Marai said as she bowed comically at Selina and left.　 Selina's face was ashen with anger, but she had to keep up with her sweet and calm look.