As they spoke, Sean arrived.
In his tailored suit and meticulously styled hair, he looked even more handsome. He kissed Joyce on the cheek and asked softly, "Is Rosie still not here?"
Joyce nodded with silence.
"Forget about her," Sean's face darkened. "Someone like that would just ruin your birthday party. Joy, today you’re the star. Don't waste your emotions on someone who doesn't matter."
Joyce wrapped her arms around his neck, looking up at him with a sorrowful expression. "But no matter what, Rose is still my sister."
Her expression always seemed sincere, just like four years ago.
As an outstanding scholarship recipient, the school wanted my parents to attend the award ceremony, to say a few words on stage, and to take videos for publicity.
I carefully composed my request and called home, cautiously asking them to come. My mother agreed.
But on the morning of the ceremony, she called and told me they couldn’t make it.
"Joy is hurt. We can't leave her alone at home, and I was about to take her to the hospital."
On the video call, Joyce looked at me apologetically, her face a bit pale. "I'm sorry, Rose. I'm not feeling well... You've always been independent. Even if Mom and Dad don’t go, I know you can handle it."
"Rose, congratulations on your scholarship."
Congratulations? But I couldn't see why she was so happy. On the day of the award ceremon, I apologized to my teacher, the dean, and the event staff.
Passing by the backstage area, I overheard someone complaining: "We rehearsed everything, and now we have to change it all. What a mess. How did this person win an outstanding scholarship?"
When the ceremony ended, I took out my phone and saw Joyce's post on social media.
"Just a minor sprain, but my parents are so caring, taking good care of me. Little joys in life~"
The photo showed the three of them together in Joyce’s bedroom. They hadn't even gone to the hospital.
Well, what a serious injury indeed.