Straws of Destiny

When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was the anxious face of my mother, Amanda Rodman.

"Are you Harry or Simon?"

I ignored the warmth in the way she addressed me and answered calmly, "I'm Harry."

The three people standing by my bed all let out a sigh of relief.

A bitter look flashed across my eyes.

Every other time I woke up, they barely cared. They would only remind me to hurry up and study before leaving.

I never thought they would treat me so kindly this time.

It turned out they only wanted me to take the blame for Simon Rodman.

My older sister, Carla Rodman, pressed her lips together.

"Simon got into a fight with another boy at school. The other kid started it, so Simon was just defending himself. But he couldn't control his temper and beat the boy so badly that he was seriously hurt. We were going to let Simon take responsibility, but the draw picked you instead, so..."

I clenched the hand hidden under my blanket so tightly that my palm throbbed with pain.

She was lying.

Simon had started the fight because the other boy was wearing the same brand of sneakers.

And...

I looked at her and asked in a hoarse voice, "Oh, really? Was I really picked at random?"

My father, Mick Rodman, exchanged a glance with Amanda. Both of their faces stiffened.

Carla's expression didn't change. She only frowned, looking impatient.

"Of course. A fortune teller gave us this method when you were little. Do you really think we could cheat?"

I didn't ask any more questions.

I already knew what their answer would be.

She quietly let out a sigh of relief.

"Go wash up and come downstairs for breakfast. Then we'll head to the hospital to meet the boy's family."

After they left, the room fell silent. I could only laugh bitterly at myself.

The room had been decorated completely to Simon's taste. The bright colors matched his cheerful personality.

But I liked black.

My black clothes had been tossed into a corner of the floor like trash instead of being hung in Simon's closet.

A little while later, I went downstairs and stood by the dining table, staring at the mango tarts in front of me.

Simon and I shared the same body, but we had different souls.

That meant our bodies reacted differently too.

He loved mangoes. I was severely allergic to them.

I loved durian. He hated the smell of it.

But no matter which one of us was awake, the table was always filled with Simon's favorite foods.

I looked up and asked, "Did you forget I'm allergic to mangoes?"

Carla clicked her tongue.

"Why are you so picky? Simon can eat it, so why can't you? You're so difficult."

My heart ached.

"But I'm not Simon. I'm Harry!"

The room suddenly went silent. They all looked at one another. It was the first time they had ever seen me lose my temper.

Amanda quickly tried to calm things down.

"This is my fault. I forgot to tell the maid. I'll have them make something else right away."

Soon, fresh durian tarts came out of the oven.

I looked at them sadly. Even as I ate them, I couldn't taste a thing.

Carla looked at me in confusion.

"What's wrong with you today? Why are you in such a bad mood?"

I tightened my grip on my fork but said nothing.

To me, it wasn't a big surprise.

After watching them love only Simon and favor him over me for 20 years, I had finally given up.

I didn't want to be Simon's stepping stone and scapegoat anymore.

So, I decided that after one month, I would disappear from their lives forever.

Carla didn't really care what was wrong with me. When I stayed silent, she didn't ask again.

"Let's go."

An hour later, I stood outside a hospital room as Carla frowned and warned me.

"No matter what they do to you, just take it. Don't fight back. I want this whole thing settled within a month. Do you understand?"

I tightened my grip on the hem of my shirt and pushed the door open.

The moment I stepped inside, a metal thermos came flying at my head.

It slammed into my forehead, splitting my skin open as blood ran down my face.

At the same time, an angry roar filled the room.

"You monster! You almost killed my son, and you still have the nerve to show your face?"