Chapter 2 BORN A SPARE

Regina Gray adjusted the strap of her backpack and forced herself to step into the bustling hallway of Gray Medical School. The smell of antiseptic mixed with the faint aroma of burnt coffee made her stomach twist. Every step felt heavier than the last, not because of the books she carried, but because of the invisible weight pressing on her chest-expectations.

She was the Gray family's "second daughter," the so-called quiet, obedient one. Sasha, her older sister by two years, was perfect. Always the first to speak up in class, always the one who made the Dean smile, always the one the family proudly showcased at every society event. And now, here she was, Regina-the outsider, the shadow, the one no one noticed unless she failed.

"Good morning, Regina," a voice called from behind.

She turned to see a classmate waving, her smile polite but strained. Regina nodded in return, her own smile faltering. She had learned long ago that effort and warmth often went unnoticed in her family's world.

Sasha's face appeared in her mind, bright and untouchable. Mother had told her just this morning, *"Regina, why can't you be more like your sister? She knows how to carry herself with dignity. You need to try harder."*

Try harder. Work harder. Smile brighter. Speak softer. Regina had memorized the rules, yet somehow, they never seemed to be enough.

As she settled into her first lecture of the day, she tried to focus on the professor's monotone voice, but her mind kept wandering. She thought about her father's sharp glance at breakfast. The unspoken disappointment. The way he lingered on Sasha's achievements and barely acknowledged hers.

She flipped open her notebook and scribbled notes with mechanical precision, her hands moving faster than her thoughts. Each word on the page was a small rebellion, a proof that she could do something right, if only anyone noticed.

The bell rang, breaking her thoughts. Students shuffled out, leaving her to pack slowly, deliberately. Regina didn't mind being alone; in fact, she preferred it. It meant fewer comparisons, fewer whispered remarks, fewer reminders of what she lacked.

As she walked through the courtyard, her phone buzzed. A message from her mother:

*"Sasha's dinner with the Gray Family's colleagues tonight. You're excused from social events. Focus on studies. Don't embarrass the family."*

Regina bit back a sigh. *Excused,* her mother called it, but in reality, it meant invisible walls closing in. Every moment she spent outside of perfection was scrutinized, judged. She tucked the phone away and continued walking, pretending the ache in her chest didn't exist.

Later that evening, Regina found herself in the library, surrounded by rows of books that smelled like old paper and promise. She tried to lose herself in her studies, but it was impossible. Every page reminded her of what she wanted-freedom, recognition, respect-but knew she would never receive in her own home.

Her thoughts drifted to Sasha again. The golden child. The one everyone loved. The one who never had to fight for attention because it was freely given, like the sun shining over a field. Regina envied her. Not for her looks, her charm, or her effortless grace-but for the power she wielded simply by being herself, unchallenged and untouchable.

"Regina?" A voice broke through her reverie.

She looked up to see a familiar face-Harris, a fellow medical student she had occasionally studied with. His expression was hesitant, as if unsure whether he should interrupt.

"Yes?" she asked quietly, her voice barely carrying over the whispering of turning pages.

"Are you... okay?" His gaze was steady, curious, concerned.

Regina blinked, startled by the attention. No one had asked her that question with genuine interest in months. "I'm fine," she said, a reflexive shield. She wasn't used to being seen, not really.

Harris hesitated but didn't press further. He offered a small, reassuring smile before returning to his seat across the aisle. Regina watched him for a moment, a flicker of warmth stirring inside her. Perhaps it was possible to exist outside her family's shadow, even if only for fleeting moments.

The library lights dimmed as evening approached. Regina packed her things slowly, each movement deliberate. She lingered by the window, watching students pass by, laughing and carefree. Part of her longed to join them, to slip out of the chains of expectation and just be herself. But she knew better. In the Gray world, desire was a dangerous thing. It was messy, it was weakness, and most of all, it was unacceptable.

Her phone buzzed again, and this time it was a group message from Sasha.

*"Dinner went well. Daddy is proud. Don't forget to submit your latest assignment tomorrow. Love, S."*

Regina stared at the message, her fingers tightening around the device. Love. She could almost taste the bitterness in that word. She typed nothing in response. What was there to say? She had nothing to give, nothing to show. Not yet, anyway.

As she left the library and walked home through the quiet streets, Regina felt the familiar knot of frustration and longing tighten in her chest. She was trapped in a life she hadn't chosen, walking a path she hadn't wanted, under the scrutiny of people who would never truly see her.

Yet, somewhere deep inside, a small flame flickered. A stubborn ember of defiance, whispering that one day-somehow-she would find a way to break free.

And she would.