Chapter 2

Grace's POV

"Everyone, another toast to our champion Bella!"

Dad raised his champagne flute high, his face glowing with pride I'd never seen before. Streamers flew through the club's main hall as everyone applauded for my killer.

I floated in midair, forced to watch this grand celebration.

"Bella is absolutely phenomenal!" Tom from the coaching association exclaimed. "I've been coaching for thirty years, and I've never seen talent like this!"

Mom wrapped her arms around Bella, eyes brimming with affection: "Our baby has always been special."

This was Sterling Family Gymnastics Club. My parents had been gymnasts who retired to run this club, pinning their hopes on their children. For twenty-two years, I was the hardworking but mediocre daughter, while nineteen-year-old Bella was their shining achievement.

"Nike is already interested in signing her," the sponsor said excitedly. "A $500,000 endorsement deal - unprecedented!"

Everyone in the room gasped in amazement.

Marcus raised his glass: "Starting tomorrow, we're giving Bella ALL our top resources. Private training times, the best equipment - everything for our champion!"

All resources. Including the measly training time that used to be mine.

"Absolutely right!" Dad boomed. "Winners deserve EVERYTHING!"

Just then, Mrs. Patterson, one of the club's longtime members, walked over: "Where's Grace? How could she miss such a big day?"

The atmosphere grew awkward.

Dad cleared his throat: "Grace isn't feeling well. She probably didn't want to dampen everyone's spirits. That's just like her - always missing the important moments."

"What a shame," Mrs. Patterson shook her head. "Though I suppose it's understandable. Grace trains so hard, but her results... seeing her sister win must sting."

"There's a difference between working hard and being talented," Mom sighed. "As the older sister, she should be more supportive. But Grace is just too petty."

Petty?

When I was being assaulted by three construction workers in that equipment room, should I have been thinking, "At least this won't interfere with Bella's celebration"?

Marcus nodded: "She's always been like that - moody and bitter. Can't stand seeing others succeed."

I stared at them, filled with bitter irony.

Bella lowered her head, voice tinged with hurt: "I actually understand Grace... but I still wish she could be happy for me... we're FAMILY."

"Don't worry, sweetheart," Mom gently stroked her hair. "Grace will come around eventually."

The party continued well past midnight. I watched them laugh and celebrate, planning Bella's bright future, and not one person mentioned my name again.

The next morning, I watched Bella enter my personal training corner.

It was a small, unremarkable space containing all my personal belongings.

Bella casually rummaged through my things, picking up the perfume Derek had given me and spraying it on her wrists.

"Mmm, nice scent." She stuffed the perfume into her bag.

Then she put on my bracelet, examining it from different angles: "Pretty good taste."

She'd always done this. Since childhood, stealing everything precious to me. Toys, clothes, awards, our parents' love... and my boyfriend.

Finally, her eyes landed on the recording teddy bear in the corner.

That was a gift from my first gymnastics championship when I was seven. Back then, my parents still cared about me, had expectations for me - one of the rare moments of being cherished in my childhood. But once Bella showed her gymnastics talent, I was completely forgotten.

The bear contained fifteen years of my heartbroken confessions - my only listener.

Bella picked up the bear and casually pressed play.

"Why can't they see me... why am I still not good enough no matter how hard I try..." My sobbing voice came through the recording.

"What junk. Acting like it's some precious thing." Bella kicked the bear dismissively after throwing it on the ground.

My heart bled, but I couldn't stop her.

"Grace, all of this is mine now," she smirked at the empty air. "You don't need it anymore anyway."

That afternoon, Bella came alone to the ring training area.

She wore a gorgeous new training outfit - pink with rhinestones, and my bracelet on her wrist. Completely against training safety regulations, but she obviously didn't care.

"Time to film a training video," she muttered to herself. "The fans will love this new gear."

She began practicing, her movements still flawless. But the flashy outfit clearly affected her performance - the sleeves were too loose, and the bracelet kept shifting.

During the final high-difficulty move, the loose sleeve got tangled in the ring cables.

Bella tried to break free, but the bracelet caught on the rope.

She lost her balance and fell hard toward the mat.

"AHHHHH——!"

A piercing scream echoed throughout the training facility.