Henry's words hit Alivia's heart like a boulder. She always thought that even if she wasn't the perfect sister, she was at least an 80 out of 100 in his eyes. She never imagined that he saw her in such an image.
Yes, she was suppressing herself every day. At first, it felt painful, but over time, she couldn't even distinguish between suppression and freedom. She seemed to have grown accustomed to her daily struggles in hospitals and various part-time jobs. She forgot that she was once the president of the student union and the ambitious goals she set for herself during her sophomore year. The two-year suspension from college had stripped away the last traces of hope from her life. As a child without a background or powerful connections, knowledge was the only way to change her fate, but she had lost even that last straw.
For the sake of her family, she gave up her college life and tried to numb herself. But as an observer, Henry could see through it all.
"Alivia, I know you're doing this for Mom and me. I've thought about it, and once I start school again, I'll find a job to ease your burden. I don't want to see you sacrificing yourself for me."
Alivia chuckled lightly, a bitter smile on her face, "Henry, I'm not a good role model, and you're right."
Suddenly, she found her earlier attempt to lecture Bert laughable. Her life had lost all its colors, constrained by various rigid ideas she had set for herself. And now, she wanted to impose the same limitations on Henry.
"I'm truly ridiculous."
"Alivia, don't say that!" Henry's emotions surged, "If it weren't for you, our family would have fallen apart a long time ago. I'm just worried about you, and I want to tell you that I'm not what you think. I'll take responsibility for my own actions, but I also want you to be bolder and not so restrained."
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