The Only Thing I Wanted Was A Place In The Family Album Chapter 01

The Only Thing I Wanted Was A Place In The Family Album Chapter 01

At my birthday party, my brother Jonathan had everyone play a game of “Never Have I Ever.”

The winner would be granted one request from him, anything they wanted.

Everyone knew I had been brought back to Fairhaven three years ago but had never been legally recognized as part of the Hart family.

They all let me win, figuring Jonathan was giving me a chance.

Only Chloe, the non-biological daughter, kept picking on me.

“I have gotten a fifty-thousand-dollar monthly allowance from Jonathan.”

“He has bid on jewelry for me at a charity auction.”

“I have been able to legally spend the holidays at the Hart house.”

“I have had my name on the family trust.”

After her fourth statement, I only had one finger left raised.

She smiled and delivered the final blow.

“Jonathan organized this game just to cheer me up.”

My chest sank in a slow, dull way. I turned my head toward Jonathan.

His smile was affectionate, the same as every other time over the past three years. He chose to take her side again.

I put down my last finger, conceding defeat.

Suddenly, going home didn’t feel so urgent anymore.

***

The private lounge fell into an awkward silence.

Everyone’s eyes were on me, waiting to see how I would react.

I just smiled, then raised my glass and downed the drink.

“I lost.” My voice was steady.

Someone tried to break the awkwardness. “Chloe kind of cheated, didn’t she? You’re not supposed to talk about your own family’s private stuff.”

Chloe raised an eyebrow at the girl. “Why not? That’s exactly how the game is played.”

Then, she turned to Jonathan with a spoiled pout. “Jonathan, did I cheat?”

Jonathan gave a helpless half-smile. “I’ll count it as your win. I organized this game to make you happy anyway. So, what’s your demand?”

Chloe shot me a defiant look.

“Then take me shopping tomorrow, Jonathan,” she said quickly. “I want a new dress. Your taste is better than anyone else’s.”

I quietly set my glass down on the table.

I lowered my head, avoiding Chloe’s triumphant gaze.

It wasn’t even conscious anymore. After three years of stepping back, yielding, and choosing silence over confrontation, the motion had become automatic, like muscle memory.

So automatic that even Jonathan didn’t notice anything wrong.

He frowned slightly, looking troubled. “But I promised Amelia I’d help her move tomorrow.”

My chest tightened.

For the three years since I returned to Fairhaven, I had been living in a suburb called Edgewater, far from the Hart family’s main house.

Last month, Jonathan asked what I wanted for my birthday.

I said I wanted legal recognition, to have my name added to the family trust.

He patted my head. “Pick something else. You know Chloe is sensitive about that. I’ve been trying to convince her. Once she agrees, you can come home.”

I lowered my gaze and backed down. “Then can I at least move closer to the Hart house? Edgewater is too far. It’s inconvenient for everything.”

Jonathan frowned but didn’t answer right away, saying he needed to think about it.

I knew he’d just go ask Chloe again.

This girl, who had taken my place since childhood, enjoyed everyone’s love and affection.

Even my mother walked on eggshells around her, afraid of upsetting her.

Sure enough, yesterday, Jonathan told me Chloe had agreed to let me move.

He had already found a place. I could move in after my birthday.

I was overjoyed and begged him to come with me. He agreed.

The light in the lounge flickered across Chloe’s face.

She frowned. “What’s the rush? Can’t you move the day after tomorrow? Or the day after that?”

Seeing her annoyance, Jonathan quickly said, “And you don’t need a dress that urgently. Any day but tomorrow.”

“But I want it tomorrow. That dress is very popular!” Chloe raised her voice, making things even more uncomfortable.

With so many people watching, Jonathan’s expression darkened slightly.

He opened his mouth to speak, but I spoke first.

“You two go shopping tomorrow. I don’t need to move, I’m fine where I am.”

Jonathan looked at me in surprise.