The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 2575
The Lewis family lived comfortably, nestled snugly in the middle-class suburbs. Elton, the patriarch, had worked tirelessly to
provide a life of opportunity for his daughters.
When his eldest, Victoria, got accepted into a prestigious private high school, he didn’t hesitate to send her off to mingle with the
cream of the crop. Elton knew the connections she’d make there could pave the way for her future.
But Mara, his younger daughter, just couldn’t grasp his intentions. She felt like he was always cracking the whip behind her, as if
he expected her to grind away like a donkey in a mill.
Was it fair to expect her to measure up to Victoria’s shining example? The disparity in their academic achievements was one
thing, but why did she also have to fall short in looks compared to her gorgeous sister?
Mara’s heart would sink every time
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returned home, flicking through a stack of love notes as if they were just another batch of junk mail. No boy had ever penned
such affections for Mara.
Worse yet, Victoria seemed unmoved by the romantic gestures. She knew her priorities and wouldn’t dream of dating at such a
in her life. So when Victoria
calliunctu caught Mara eyeing the love notes, she took it upon herself to advise her younger sister against the distractions of
premature romance.

Mara felt that advice like a slap in
face
“What’s so great about you? Just because you get a few love notes, you have to show
off?”
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Victoria was puzzled, “What are you talking about? They mean nothing to me!”
“Mean nothing? Then why flaunt them in front of me? I’m sick of your hypocrisy. I wish I weren’t your sister. It’s so unfair,” Mara
lashed out.
Victoria was stunned. She had never realized Mara harbored such deep resentment.
“Why? We’re sisters! Why do you hate me? Is it because Dad scolded you that one time? But you know he’s tough on the
outside and soft on the inside. Don’t you remember the times he secretly bought you a birthday cake?”
But Mara was unrelenting, her pain and jealousy spilling over. “A slap followed by a sweet treat doesn’t make it all better. I hate
being constantly compared to you. I’m a person too, not just your shadow.”
Mara’s harsh words cut deep, and as she stormed out of the house, proclaiming she’d rather stay at a boarding school, Victoria
was left to grapple with the rift between them. A rift that Elton had failed to bridge, too.