Like someone had not tried to fix me.
They had tried to make sure I would not be seen.
I walked downstairs in shock.
My mother did not apologize.
She did not even hesitate.
“We trimmed it while you were sleeping,” she said calmly. “Your sister is marrying into the Sterling family. For once, she deserves to be the center of attention.”
My father did not even look at me.
“Wear a hat,” he muttered. “Don’t be selfish.”
That was when I understood.
This was not new.
For years, I had made myself smaller so my sister could shine.
I planned her wedding.
Paid for her mistakes.
Covered $60,000 from my own savings.
All so she could take the credit.
And somehow, it still was not enough.
I called her.
“Tell me you didn’t know.”
She paused.
Then she said something I would never forget.
“At least now… they’ll finally look at me.”
That was when everything inside me went quiet.
