Doted by Many: I became the Top-Tier Celebrity!

Chapter 822: Chapter 816: Longing for Affection 2

At fourteen, she finally understood what it was like to feel heart-wrenching pain.

All her efforts were always in vain.

No matter how excellent or diligent she was, in her mother’s eyes, she could never compare to a single strand of Georgia Thorne’s hair.

Or rather, her mother never compared her to Georgia Thorne, because in her eyes, she simply wasn’t worthy!

Yet, the next evening, her mom was unexpectedly kind to her, knowing she liked strawberry cake and even bought it for her in advance.

But she didn’t dare to eat it, because she remembered once taking a single bite of her sister’s cake, and her mother not only slapped her but also made her spit it out.

She hoped that her mother being nice this time was, like her father, seeing her as her pride.

However, this hope lasted only a few seconds before reality shattered it.

Her mother said, wait until your father gets back, she planned on repeating the school year, saying she didn’t want to go to college, wanting to wait to go with her sister, so they could look after each other.

She felt disillusioned, and also understood why her mother wouldn’t let her go to college.

Because she didn’t want to hear people say that the younger daughter of the Thorne family was much smarter than the older one.

She refused without hesitation.

This was the only time in her life she ever refused her, because her father was coming back from a business trip the next day, and any bruises would be seen, so her mother didn’t hit her.

Her mother was furious and scolded her, then took away her cake and, right in front of her, gave it to her sister.

From childhood to now, motherly love to her was like living in a class where she could never afford an expensive luxury.

She had humbled herself so much, trying not to compete with her sister.

But she didn’t know what she had done wrong.

Why, when both were her mother’s daughters, her mother didn’t like her at all?

Her childhood and teenage years were almost entirely dark.

Only her father always stood up, like a god, holding her whenever she faced fear and self-doubt.

"Tiana, the teacher called and said you ranked first in your entire grade. I specially took leave to accompany you, my darling daughter. You truly are your father’s pride."

She happily buried herself in her father’s embrace but dared not cry.

On one hand, she feared her father would worry about her and blame her mother, thinking that getting any tenderness from her mother would be more difficult than reaching the skies.

On the other hand, she feared her father might also think she was guilty, and her only sunshine would turn cloudy.

Once, she cried and said, "Dad, I’m sorry, I only ranked third in the grade. I shouldn’t have skipped a grade. I’m sorry, Dad."

Her father still, as always, picked her up, wiped her tears, with a look of helpless affection in his eyes, "Girl, you’re third in the whole grade, not third from the bottom. What are you crying for?"

She was very scared. There was a time she was lost, and even thought maybe her father’s affection was only because she had good grades.

If her grades were not good.

Would he also stop loving her like her mother?

She carefully watched him, "But I didn’t do well on the exam, not as good as before."

"With so many people in your grade and you having skipped a level, getting third means your grades are even better. Even if we take a step back, studying is not the only path. With a smart brain, you won’t suffer anywhere. You’re still your father’s pride."

His words were like a little sun, warming her heart.

Letting her gradually believe there is still love in the world.