02/06/2026
Chapter 1
Year 2010
"Mom, would you like to see my GPA?" Alice was excited. "Our adviser told me that I will be part of the outstanding students award, and there is no doubt that I could be rank as top 1 not only in the class but to the whole year level" She showed her report card to Beth. "That's good. I couldn't be prouder of you Alice. If you graduated as valedictorian, I promised I will enroll you to the most prestigious university here in Davao". Beth always knew her daughter's capability and she knew she can make it.
"Really! Thank you, mom!" Alice hugged her mother tight.
"What the--" Reign. Younger brother of Alice muttered. He was sitting in the couch watching his favorite series in his favorite channel when someone slammed the door. His eyes furrowed as he stared on the familiar grumpy face.
"Language." an immediate warning coming from Beth.
"Watch your mouth Reign!" Alice scolded.
"Celebrating what?!" Alex yelled in an irritated manner.
"What's the matter with you? Countless time we've been discussing this matter about not slamming the door shut? You're not toddler anymore stop fooling around and throwing tantrums?" Beth was a bit agitated by Alex's attitude.
"Gush!! Is that what it looks like to you. Huh?" Alex was envious of her twin sister. They were triplets. Alice is the oldest, Alex the middle, and then Reign was the youngest among them. Alice was an ambitious, smart and mature version, on the other hand, Alex was selfish, arrogant, an insecure and a dense version of Alice. She was all her opposites.
"Well, how would you describe it then?" Reign was furious, says it with a slightly raised tone of voice.
"Well, as far as I can remember I am a bit older than you, so you don't have the authority to raise your voice at me."
"Yeah, maybe. But your childish enough to indicate yourself in a position that is higher than mine. In this house we are equal." Not afraid of being ditched. He said it on her face.
"You--" Alex didn't finish.
"Stop it the two of you! Don't ruin your sister's day, she has achieved something bigger this year, can't you just be proud of her" Beth scolded the two of them. She didn't want to make Alice worry. "Besides, you three are graduating, you're gonna go to college, so you must get along with each other, after all, there'll only be the three of you then."
"That's the point. How can you celebrate her success while here I am disappointed? I don't even know if I can graduate!" Alex sobbed.
"What do you mean?" Beth was astonished by the news.
Alex, couldn't look her mother in the eye.
"Tell me! Why?" Elizabeth was determined.
"Uhhm..." Alice was about to say something but Alex scolded. "Uhh shut up! You f***in' b*tch!"
Beth pulls and twist her ear for saying' those words. " A-a-ah! It hurts!" Alex exclaimed in pain.
"What's holding you back Alice you should tell mom about it" Reign was exasperated.
Alex scolded Alice from saying' it but Elizabeth pulled her left ear again. "Al! Ouch! Stop it mom! That's not nice."
"Why me? If there's anyone who should tell their story, It's none other than the bearer of their own problem."
"Alright Alex. Speak up!" Beth turned to Alex with her arms crossed.
When Alex didn't say anything, Beth feeling an urge inside her that lead her to threaten Alex for not speaking the truth. "Don't wait for me to go to your school and find out what truly happened!"
Beth leans toward her as she was much taller than her. Alex in panicked spit the words: "okay fine! I've been to Guidance office today." A little hesitant while she was saying it. She added "I was caught cheating in exam." She lowers her head.
Beth was stunned agitated. Alice, on the other hand, was astonished that she couldn't pick a word. She never thought it was that serious. She only knew that Alex was thrown to the guidance office because of her behavior in class. When the latter said about having a doubt if she can graduate Alice didn't take it seriously having the thought of Alex being envious with her trying to steal the spotlight away from her. The triplets are not in the same class as what they have agreed and prefer to cease their seemingly competition arose in them when it comes with academic, undeniably Alice is always first in line, her brother goes to rank two in class and Alex was unfortunate. That day when she passed by her class during her P.E session, she overheard Alex arguing with the student teacher. She never thought it was that terrible.
"So now you're finally paying attention to me?" Alex chuckled. As if everything was just a joke. "Wow! Thank you, Mom! It takes for me to make mistake every single time to win your atten--" Alex didn't finish her sentences, Beth slapped her pretty hard in the face.
Shocked, Alex involuntarily pressed her red cheek. Tears are starting to fall down. She felt the pain not from the slapped but from the thought that her mother had raise her hand towards her for the very first time.
"Mom!" That's all she could say while sobbing.
"I raised you, feed you, dressed you and sacrifice everything for all of you on my own and this is what you repay me? An embarrassment? A bad reputation? Where's your dignity, huh? Alex? You only prove it to be a disgrace to this family!" Furious. Her eyes turned red. She pursed her lips as she holds back the tears. "If you cannot do it, why don't you ask for help?!"
"Help! Where were you when I needed it the most? Where were you? I can't ask Alice because I don't want her to look down on me."
"Alex..." Alice was surprised by Alice impression with her.
"I am more than willing to help you, but you wouldn't let me." Alice was true to her word.
"Because I don't want your help! I just wanted to prove to you all that I am better than Alice." Alex sobbed as she hardened her gazed to Alice.
"Alex..." Alice was speechless.
"Mom, I'm so sorry."
Elizabeth left without a word.
Alex regrets everything that happened this day. But she blamed Alice for it. From that day onwards, she is determined to steal everything from her twin sister. Everything.
Read Chapter 1:Be the most intelligent in school and rank as top from the story All You Gave Me Was Goodbye. by MayaAng...
