Thalia smiled coldly. "Does it matter? I can neverpare to udia no matter how much effort I put in. She needs to practice her choir, then take care of me... I''m nothing more than a burden to you both. The two of you have it much harder than I do."


    udia''s face soured in displeasure. "If there''s anything you''re unhappy about, you can always tell it to me in private. There''s no need to make that sort ofment."


    "Oh? All I''m doing is pointing out that you and Dad are having a hard time. Can''t I state the facts? You''re being too controlling. I told you not to take care of me anymore. I have the right to voice out myints." Thalia yed with her food.


    Henry saw this and immediately rapped on her bowl. "Don''t y with your food. What''s with this attitude? Is something the matter between you two? If you have something to say, then say it nicely. You don''t have to make all these underhandedments."


    His words hung in the air, leaving the two sisters in silence once more. They did not exchange a single nce as they went about their day as if a deep-seated animosity had suddenly sprouted between them. Henry sighed, finding it increasingly difficult to understand what his daughters were thinking. A family should get along happily, but the mere notion of putting that idea into practice was incredibly difficult. From that day on, Thalia never uttered a word to udia unless necessary. One day passed, then two, then three, and udia soon found it too difficult to bear. It was Thalia''s fault to begin with, so why was it so hard for Thalia to apologize? They were sisters, after all, and she wondered if Thalia had no sisterly affection for her at all.


    udia went to her rehearsals with a heavy heart. The tension she had with Thalia proved to be a distraction, and mistakes were made during the rehearsals. Though the teacher did not explicitly scold her, the many disapproving nces spoke volumes.


    During a break, Lucas approached


    her and asked, "If you''re not interested in attending rehearsals, then you can let our teacher know. Don''t let your feelings hinder our progress."


    udia was already seething, and Lucas'' condescending tone only fueled her anger. "Our teacher hasn''t said anything, so who are you to lecture me?"


    Lucas frowned. "She might not have said anything, but it''s already painfully obvious to everyone. We''re all short on time, and your mistakes are bing an obstacle." "Are you calling me a hindrance?" udia asked incredulously.


    Lucas remained silent. "The consequences are obvious if you continue like this. Lest you forget, you bear an important responsibility in the ss."


    "Just because your family is well-off doesn''t mean you have the right to lecture me! You''d just be another student without your parents'' hard work! Why are you acting like you''re the best?"


    udia''s anger rose as she recalled that Lucas was the reason for Thalia''s hostility. The more she spoke, the colder Lucas'' expression became He despised it when people mentioned his family, more so when they talked about his biological parents. "Don''t overstep your


    boundaries, udia. I could say theN?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    same thing about you."


    No one in that school came from an ordinary background. Getting in was not solely about grades, and udia had no standing to put herself in such a light.


    "I... I''m just reminding you. It''s up to you whether you want to take my words seriously or not."