Overlooked and always second to her sister in her parents' eyes, a young woman decides to put distance between herself and her family by choosing a college far from home. As she builds a life on her own, the question of whether her parents will ever truly see her hangs over every choice she makes.
My parents treated my sister like a princess and treated me like dirt. They never imagined that years later, our family empire would collapse overnight, leaving them on the brink of bankruptcy. And I was the only one who could save them.
They brought Sofia to her knees, weeping and begging me for my forgiveness. I didn't even bother to glance at them, stepping around them as if they were nothing When my parents divorced, they nearly tore each other apart from my sister's custody. My sister and I ended up alternating homes every half year.
The toxic handoff happened every August at La Serrata, the Moretti family's restaurant. And now my parents were screaming at each other over Sophia all over again. Come to St. Barth's with me for Thanksgiving. Dad's face hardened.
Sophia's with me this year. She spends the holidays with me. Mom pulled up her calendar. You dumped her on me for 19 extra days last year. I get those days back every single one. Two of those days were school overnights. They don't count.
Sophia rested her chin on one hand and gave them the helpless smile. If only there were two of me. Half an hour later, my parents compromised by booking the trip together. Only then did Sophia glance my way.
What about Amelia? Dad picked up his water and looked past me. She's not my responsibility this year. The hotel group closes an acquisition next month.
I don't have time for this. You'll board there. They had just counted every hour Sophia had spent away from them. But when it came to me, I felt like I was the extra garbage.