Mom’s Fair Plan: $800 for Me, $8,000 for My Sister? The “Good Daughter” Just Quit! Chapter 04

Mom’s Fair Plan: $800 for Me, $8,000 for My Sister? The “Good Daughter” Just Quit! Chapter 04

Day before the party. Living room buried in gift boxes.

Serena stood in front of the mirror in this gorgeous lace gown, spinning around while Mom fixed her hem and Jasper held up a sparkly tiara.

“Mom, where’s my dress?”

I walked to the couch. Garment bags everywhere.

Mom didn’t look up. “Honestly, you barely talk at these things anyway. Just sit in the back tomorrow and eat. Doesn’t matter what you wear.”

Nathan walked out and shrugged. “Tomorrow’s Serena’s day. That white shirt you’re wearing? Works fine.”

I watched them circle around Serena like she was the sun.

“Sure.” I smiled. “She looks amazing.”

Serena beamed. “Thanks, sis!”

I didn’t respond. Just went back to my room.

Late that night, the house went quiet.

I locked my door and pulled out my old suitcase from under the desk.

Three outfits. My acceptance letter. That’s it.

Six a.m. Sun barely up.

Everyone still asleep, saving energy for the party.

I grabbed my suitcase and slipped out without a sound.

At the door, I left my key on the shoe rack.

On the coffee table sat that old pack of mints from freshman year. Jasper gave them to me after his first win. Said: “From now on, you get my victory candy.”

I kept them for three years.

Now I left them there.

I got in a cab to the airport.

Terminal packed. Announcements everywhere.

Got my boarding pass. Cleared security. Stood at the huge window watching the sunrise spill gold across the runway.

My phone buzzed. Text from Mom:

[Dad and I talked all night. This party’s for you too, sweetie.]

[When you wake up, let’s go dress shopping together?]

I stared at it.

Then blocked her. Blocked Dad. Nathan. Jasper.

Left the group chat called “One Big Happy Family.”

Silence.

I turned off my screen and walked to my gate.