After I left, my family regretted
being partial to me
Chapter 1
It all started because I accidentally splashed
my stepsister with hot water.
I swear, it was an accident.
My dad just had to kick me, like, full–on, and
my brother grabbed my hair and made me
kneel and apologize to her.
I was crying, trying to explain, “It wasn’t my
fault! She bumped into me! Why won’t
anyone listen?”
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But they wouldn’t hear it.
They were all convinced I did it on purpose,
just to get attention, and because of that,
they cut off my allowance. Seriously?
I was stuck drinking the watery soup at
school, while she strutted around in designer
clothes, showing off the latest iPhone.
At parent–teacher conferences, Dad and my
brother made a point of doting on her, leaving
me to deal with everyone whispering about
how I was cursed and killed my own mom.
Then, she went and smashed the necklace my
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mom gave me.
That was it.
I lost it.
I went at her, screaming.
Of course, Dad and my brother rushed to
protect her. They looked at me like I was
garbage.
“You’re not even family. What right do you
have to argue with her?” my dad yelled.
“Everything in this house is for your sister!
She can do whatever she wants!” my brother
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added.
I was done.
Completely, utterly done.
I left a note saying I’d pay them back
somehow, and I walked out the door.
- 1.
I was carefully pouring hot water into my
thermos when she came barreling into me.
My hand jerked, and scalding water splashed
all over my knuckles.
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It immediately blistered.
A few drops landed on her foot.
She started wailing.
Dad and my brother came running into the
kitchen, and there I was, kneeling on the floor
trying to wipe her off.
The second Dad heard her cry, he kicked me,
right in the stomach.
He looked at me like I was his worst enemy.
I fell hard, staring up at them.
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I’m supposed to be their family. Why couldn’t
they even ask what happened before
attacking me?
My brother scooped her up, holding her tight,
cooing, “Are you okay, Ashley? Did she hurt
you?”
Then he turned on me, yelling, “You little
monster! What did you do to your sister
now?”
He looked down at Ashley’s foot.
There was a tiny bit of redness, barely even
noticeable.
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I held out my hand, my voice shaking, trying
to show him my burns.
“She ran into me, that’s how she got burned.
Why doesn’t anyone care about me?”
The blisters looked gross, like they were
about to pop.
My brother actually paused for a second.
Even Dad looked a little uncomfortable. “That
looks bad… Why didn’t you say something?”
I swallowed hard, trying not to cry.
It’s not like I wanted to keep it a secret. They
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just never pay attention to me.
Ashley tugged on Dad’s sleeve, sniffling. “Daddy, don’t fight with Sarah because of
- me. I’ll be okay, no matter how she treats
me.”
That just made Dad even angrier.
He cradled her foot, looking worried. “She’s
going to have a scar now. It’s all your fault.”
Dad turned to me, about to explode, but then
he saw the tears in my eyes. He bit it back.
“Ashley’s just a kid. It was your responsibility
to pay attention where you were going.”
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“Just apologize to your sister and let it go.”
Normally, I’d do it.
I’d say sorry, even when it wasn’t my fault.
I’d be grateful that they forgave me.
But today was my birthday.
No gifts, no cake, not even a “Happy
Birthday.”
And now they wanted me to beg forgiveness
for something that wasn’t even my fault.
Seeing how they coddled her, my chest
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tightened up.
I bit my lip, trying not to cry.
“Why should I apologize? She bumped into
me! I’m the one who got hurt! Why does
everyone always make me say sorry?”
I think that was the first time I ever talked
back.
Dad went ballistic. He slapped me hard
across the face.
“Don’t you talk to me like that! I gave you a
roof over your head, so you have no right to
complain. Just apologize to your sister. You
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cumpiain. Just apvivYIZE LU Yuu ili 100
always have to play the victim, don’t you?”
My brother grabbed me, trying to force me to
bow my head.
“Don’t waste our time. We need to take
Ashley to the doctor.
Tears blurred my vision.
But this time, I wouldn’t give in.
I yanked myself free, screaming.
“I won’t say sorry! I didn’t do anything wrong!
Why does everyone always bully me?!”
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I turned and ran to my room, ignoring Dad
yelling for me to stop.
