3 The birthday party ended abruptly . The DNA test results came back quickly . Unsurprisingly , Serena was indeed a Blackwood by blood . I became a stranger in this home . My position became incredibly awkward . Brenda daily recounted , with floods of tears , how " regretful " she'd been all these years . She claimed she'd been blinded by greed , which led her to make such a terrible mistake . She also insisted Serena had been frighteningly clever since childhood , but her poor family circumstances nearly held her back . " My poor girl , she suffered so much with me ... " Brenda cried , yet never forgot to glance at my parents from the corner of her eye . My mom , Eleanor , was already inconsolable , embracing Serena and calling her " my daughter " over and over . 11:56 Sat , Oct 18 M .. < My dad , Richard , sighed and instructed the staff to give Serena the best room in the house . After that , their gazes towards me changed , growing stranger by the day . There was sympathy , and guilt , but mostly a polite distance , like one would show a stranger . Only my brother , Julian ... He was still the same . He would still bring me a cup of warm milk when I stayed up late studying , and gently say : " Aspen , don't be afraid . No matter what happens , you're my sister ." The whole family had turned cold , but he was the only one who still offered a glimmer of warmth . I naively believed he was the only person who would never change . That was until one week before the national physics competition finals . The final training camp roster was announced , and both Serena and I were on it . But our school only had one spot for the actual competition . The night before the training camp , my parents called us all into Richard's study . The moment I stepped into the room , I felt an oppressive atmosphere . " Aspen ." Eleanor spoke first , her voice hesitant , as if she didn't know what to say . 2 11:56 Sat , Oct 18 ... : 82 " You see , Serena ... she's been through so much hardship , and she finally has this opportunity ... " My heart sank . I immediately understood what she was implying . But just as I was about to speak , Julian , who had always stood firmly by me , suddenly chimed in . " Dad , Mom , I think ... that spot should go to Serena . " I sharply looked up , staring at him in disbelief . Julian avoided my gaze and continued : " Aspen's grades are excellent ; even without the scholarship , she could easily get into a top university through regular admissions . But Serena is different . This is her only chance to change her fate . We owe her ." He paused , then delivered the final blow that shattered my illusion : " Maybe we should send Aspen abroad for a prep program first , let her cool off and not compete with Serena . " 4