Filed to story: The Daughter in the Shadows (Yunice) Book by Una Norris
Paul, irritated, choked on his words and went home.
That night, Owen tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Paul’s words echoed in his mind. Staring at the ceiling, he thought of Yunice’s eighteen years in this house. Before Dad died, he’d grasped mine and Oscar’s hands, urging us to care for their little sister. But now, not only had I failed to care for her, I had treated her worse-so much so that even Paul could criticize me.
Owen calculated. Four rooms had good lighting: mine, Oscar’s, Yunice’s, and Dad’s master bedroom. After Dad died, Elsie and her mother shared the master bedroom for two years. Only when Yunice was sent to the psychiatric hospital did Elsie finally get her own room.
Who should switch with Yunice? Elsie had asthma and was the youngest-she couldn’t suffer. Mom was an elder, so it was out of the question. Oscar, as the eldest, couldn’t be expected to take a smaller room. And I had too many office supplies.
He couldn’t sleep. Finally, he turned on his computer. After searching, he found a death certificate from a year ago: Lauren Drake, female, 19. Admitted to Silverburgh Psychiatric Hospital. Died from accidental mechanical asphyxiation.
His hand trembled. Owen’s eyes flickered. Yunice hadn’t lied-the hospital was a place where people died. The thought of Yunice, frail and defenseless, her hair yanked, her spine crushed, her fingers scratching the floor in agony-it made him breathless.
Emotion surged. He reached for water, but the scalding liquid splashed onto his hand. The sharp pain made his scalp tingle, and he cried out. As he checked his reddened skin, he saw Yunice plunging her hand into burning coals.
He stared at his hand, shocked. So this is how much a burn hurts. My skin was merely reddened, yet the pain was unbearable. But Yunice’s palms had been burned raw, and though she trembled and sweated, she hadn’t made a sound.
Owen parted his lips. He finally understood what it meant to be accustomed to pain. She must have suffered so much at the hospital that she’d grown numb.
His eyes burned with heartache, but then anger surged. He furiously wiped his tears, blaming Yunice for her stubbornness! Why hadn’t she sought help? Why hadn’t she called her family? She was holding a grudge, refusing to bow to her own family. She had endured so much in silence. He couldn’t understand-what had the family done to make her resist so much? What was she holding onto?
At dawn, someone knocked on Yunice’s door. Owen stood at the entrance, listening to her slow movements. When she opened the door, he scrutinized her. She looked better. Remembering her injuries, he softened. “Get ready. We’re going to the hospital for a check-up.”
Yunice replied, “Forget it. I don’t have an ID. I can’t register.”
“It’s our own hospital; rules don’t apply.” Owen observed her, feeling her stubbornness. His gaze landed on her hands. Restraining his temper, he said, “I haven’t found your bracelet yet, but I’ll return it. Mom and Oscar’s rooms aren’t an option, but don’t worry; just wait for me. I’ll buy you your own estate once the hospital’s earnings are settled.”
Wait? He wanted me to wait again? I’d been fooled by that word too many times. When Elsie arrived, they’d coaxed me, saying, “Just wait; Elsie will stop taking Mom away. Just wait; she’ll be more considerate. Just wait, and she’ll become close to you.” I will no longer believe their empty promises. And I knew Owen wouldn’t buy me a house. By tomorrow, he’d be using the same promise to placate Elsie.
Owen waited for a reaction. In the past, mentioning gifts made her smile, no matter how angry she was. I was offering her a house-she should be happy, right?
But Yunice still didn’t look pleased. Owen was baffled. “I promised you a room and your bracelet-what more do you want?”
Yunice laughed. “Those were mine to begin with. Are they rewards now?”
Owen, embarrassed, found something else wrong. “You haven’t called me brother since you came back; are you going to break ties with your family?”
Yunice smiled. “It’s not that I want to break ties; it’s that I can no longer call you brother.”
Owen’s brows wrinkled. What does she mean? He didn’t understand. Yunice explained, “You said you’re taking me to the hospital. When the subordinates ask about me, how will you introduce me?”
Owen was about to speak; Yunice interrupted, “Elsie went to school for me, interned at our hospital, and studied for my postgraduate degree; her social circle has long been fused with Yunice’s name. Anyone who recognizes her will only recognize her and not me.”
Yunice looked at Owen. “You take me to the hospital; surely you can’t say my real identity. You can only say I’m one of your younger sisters, or else Elsie’s carefully constructed identity will be ruined. You also don’t want Elsie to be misunderstood as an impostor, right?”
Yunice’s unspoken concern was something Owen hadn’t considered, but he understood it deep down. Yunice was right; she couldn’t publicly acknowledge herself as Yunice or her relationship with the Saunders family. Elsie would be caught in a maelstrom of public opinion. One identity couldn’t be shared. Owen’s earlier anger softened. “Elsie’s still in graduate school. You don’t need your ID, so why not lend it to someone who does? She’ll return it once she starts working.”
Yunice offered a self-deprecating sneer. Always waiting.
Owen patted her shoulder, his voice gentler. “You have food and shelter; no need to study or work. Many would envy this life.” His tone implied ingratitude.
She remained silent, but as Elsie approached, Yunice mocked, “So this is a good life? Then why make Elsie work so hard? Is the family unwilling to support her?”
Owen saw the sarcasm; his face darkened, but he couldn’t refute her. Ability trumped failure, everyone knew. But Yunice’s history of mental illness-a fabrication to avoid a criminal record-barred her future. Letting Elsie use the Saunders identity to bring the family honor seemed logical, yet Owen knew the truth: Yunice had never been mentally ill.
Elsie, arriving for dinner, overheard. Feigning ignorance, she sweetly took Owen’s arm, but he evaded her. He harbored resentment. Kindness wasn’t inherently wrong, but reckless kindness bred trouble. Three years ago, Elsie’s impulsive act had forced an impossible choice, pushing Yunice to the brink.
Sensing Owen’s irritation, Elsie adjusted her approach. She realized his guilt toward Yunice. “Yunice, Owen cares deeply about you. He’s been busy, but he still found time for a gift,” Elsie said, turning to Owen. “Isn’t that right?” She was offering him an escape.
Owen tossed a necklace-two large stars protecting a smaller one-his expression cold. “It’s for you.”
It was the gift I’d wanted three years ago. Now, it felt meaningless. People change. Once, I cherished family and love; now, I despised them. Refusal would anger Owen, so she reached for it. Irritated, Owen thrust the necklace into Elsie’s hands. “Hesitant and unwilling? If you don’t want it, give it to Elsie; it’s better than wasting it on you!”
Elsie froze, embarrassed. He hadn’t genuinely wanted me to have it; he’d used it to provoke Yunice. Since when had he cared about her reaction?
Sensing danger, Elsie hesitated. “I’ll keep it for Yunice. If she wants it later…”
Owen waved her off. “No need. Giving it to her is a waste of emotion!”
After Owen left, Elsie glanced at Yunice before following him. Yunice followed, too.
In the dining room, Owen saw Elsie alone and was about to criticize Yunice’s absence when she entered. Elsie looked surprised. Yunice had learned her lesson. A moment later, and I would have told Owen Yunice didn’t want dinner, ensuring her future exclusion. But Yunice saw through Elsie’s games. A crying child gets attention. I’d suffered from not knowing when to yield; not anymore. I held no expectations, no hope for their comfort. Living under their roof, what harm in bowing my head? Once I regained my identity, I’d leave.
The dining table was long. Lily and Owen sat on one side; Elsie opposite Lily. Yunice should have sat behind Elsie, but the thought disgusted her. She sat further away.
Owen’s lips tightened. Lily placed chicken in Yunice’s bowl. Yunice noted Owen and Elsie had drumsticks. The tangible proof of my insignificance felt like a dull knife. Born amidst parental conflict, my mother, out of spite, refused to hold me; then she vanished. A single-parent child, I’d endured cruelty and rumors.
“Your mom ran away with another man.” “She abandoned you because she hated you.” “Why didn’t she leave with your brothers? It must be your fault.” These words haunted my childhood. Yet, I’d clung to hope. Now, that childhood dream was shattered.
Lost in thought, a drumstick landed in her bowl. Owen glanced at her before retracting his chopsticks. Elsie smiled, placing her drumstick in Owen’s bowl. “Owen, you can have mine.” Owen smiled warmly. Lily’s eyes reddened. “Seeing you siblings care for each other…”
Their laughter felt ironic. Was a drumstick so precious? No, they hadn’t considered one for me initially.
They discussed their day. Elsie mentioned the bracelet incident, kindly vouching for Giana. “I must have misplaced it. I’ll buy Yunice a new one.”
Yunice hummed noncommittally. It seemed perfunctory. Owen saw her isolation, her untouched food. Anger erupted. He slammed her bowl to the floor. Rice scattered onto her clothes; she didn’t react.
He snapped, “Elsie apologized, and you ignored her. Mom and I gave you food, and you didn’t eat. We bend over backward, and you act superior-who do you think you are?!” He kicked the bowl away. “If you can’t stand us, get out of this house! No one will stop you!”
Yunice gazed at Owen in sorrow, her eyes filled with a tangled mix of resentment and grievance. This house was left behind by Dad! I was a daughter of the Saunders family also! What right did Owen have to drive me out? No one had the right to throw me out of Dad’s house!
Because Dad had made a will dividing the family assets into three parts, the real estate belonged to me, savings went to Oscar, and hospital Ito shares were given to Owen. Dad had said that since I’m a girl, I would need a house as a foundation when I married Oscar; Oscar, with cash in hand, could fund his new drug research; while Owen, with his medical connections, could boost pharmaceutical sales. Yenice, in turn, could provide insights for Oscar’s drug development. The three of us were supposed to complement each other in a virtuous cycle. Now that they had achieved success, they saw me as useless and decided to cast me aside?
Yunice was so furious she could hardly breathe. She clenched her palms tightly and locked eyes with Owen in a heated glare. She wanted to lash out, but reason held her back-she couldn’t fight head-on. Right now, I couldn’t even prove my identity. Bringing up the will recklessly would only benefit Elsie. Moreover, after three years in the psychiatric hospital, I had lost my connections and resources. Without money or support, who would help me fight a lawsuit?
Yunice shut her eyes in frustration. Powerless rage was useless. Confronting them head-on would only get me sent back to the psychiatric hospital. When she reopened her eyes, all emotion had vanished from them. She wiped away the rice grains from her face.
Then, she swiftly crouched down and picked up the chicken drumstick from the floor. She hesitated for a brief moment at the sight of the bright red chili oil on it. But only for a moment. She then took a big bite and swallowed mechanically like a lifeless doll.
Everyone was stunned. Elsie put on a show of concern and exclaimed, “Yunice, don’t eat that; it’s dirty!” Owen was also taken aback-he hadn’t expected Yunice to pick up food from the floor and eat it. At that moment, a shocked voice came from the doorway. “What is going on here?”
Margaret Grant, Paul’s mother, was so stunned that she forgot her manners and strode in. It wasn’t until she saw Yunice actually eating off the floor that she turned to Owen and Lily with an indescribable expression. Y immediately turned her head away in shame. Lily…
Owen stepped forward to greet her. “Madam Margaret, what brings you here?” Margaret raised her hand to brush him off. She had intended to question Owen, but upon seeing Yunice squatting there, numbly eating the drumstick, she rushed over and snatched it away. Her voice trembled with distress. “Don’t eat that! It’s too spicy! You have a gastric disease! How can you handle such spicy food?”
Owen had assumed Margaret was upset because Yunice ate off the floor, but upon hearing about her gastric disease, he was… 10:45 AM.
Yunice, now supported by Margaret, turned to Owen and asked, “I finished eating. Are you pleased now?” Owen was at a loss for words. That wasn’t what I meant. I had assumed she was deliberately only eating plain rice. “If your stomach was unwell, why didn’t you say anything?”
Yunice replied, “I did. But you said Mom worked hard to cook and told me not to be fussy. You said eating one bite wouldn’t kill me.” In the mountains, resources were scarce, and people preferred spicy food. Having lived there for fifteen years, Lily and Elsie had long since adapted to eating spicy dishes. After returning home, Lily, wanting to make it up to her children, frequently cooked feasts of spicy food. Elsie naturally enjoyed it, and both of her brothers weren’t picky eaters. But I couldn’t handle spice at all.
When I was young, Dad had to play both parental roles. Unable to always tend to me personally, he had hired a nanny to care for me. However, the nanny had been negligent, leaving me hungry to the point of developing a chronic stomach condition. After that, no matter where Dad went, on business trips or meetings, he always took me along, ensuring my health improved. But in the three years I spent in the psychiatric hospital, I had been deprived of proper meals and grew even more sensitive to spicy food.
“If she can’t eat it, she can’t eat it. How is that being fussy?” Margaret scanned the table full of spicy dishes and directed her anger at Lily. “You’re a mother. How hard is it to ask your daughter what she wants to eat?” Lily’s eyes reddened as she lowered her head and wiped away tears.
Owen, unable to bear seeing his mother upset, frowned and said, “Madam Margaret, she didn’t say anything. How were we supposed to know?” Margaret held Yunice protectively. “Even I knew, so doesn’t that mean you should be reflecting on yourselves?” Owen fell silent.
Yunice felt a stabbing pain in her stomach. Pressing her hand against it, she endured the discomfort. Noticing this, Margaret quickly supported her and turned to the others. “I’m taking Yunny with me.” Owen instinctively wanted to stop her. We…
But Yunice looked him in the eye and said firmly, “From now on, I’ll do everything you ask. But I won’t explain myself to you ever again.” Watching Yunice’s unsteady steps as she followed Margaret away, Owen looked at the scattered rice and chili flakes on the floor, a deep turmoil in his heart. I hadn’t expected things to turn out like this…
Earlier, Hanser had asked if I was pleased. Now could he be pleased? For what? She was my own sister; seeing her in pain only made my heart ache. Yanur had done exactly as I had asked. When I told her to hold the burning charcoal, she did. When I told her to stand straight, she… When I told her to eat, she ate… un)happy. This man… the outcome I had wanted. I just wanted Yanice to be obedient, to get along with the family without… 10:45 AM.
“Huh?” Lily flinched, her eyes darting around nervously before she finally murmured, “She never told me.”