“Verena is smarter and prettier than you. We’ll be family from now on, and you’ll get to enjoy the Harrington family’s benefits.
No need to sulk.”
Verena. Always Verena.
Ever since I was reunited with my parents, I’ve lived in her shadow–my so–called twin sister. We shared the same womb, but because she stayed home, went to school, and polished herself into the perfect daughter, she was everything I wasn’t in their eyes.
At first, I thought it was my fault. I’d grown up in the countryside, uneducated and rough around the edges. I begged to go to school, but they refused.
They said I’d suffered too much, that classmates would judge me.
They said I was too withdrawn, not fit for socializing.
“As long as Verena studies hard, she can tutor you. The results will be the same.”
I believed them. I studied alone, desperately.
Until I realized the truth: they never intended to invest in me at all. To them, having Verena was enough. I was just a burden- an extra mouth to feed
A neighbor once whispered that my parents gave up searching for me just a year after the kidnapping. If the police hadn’t kept visiting, they might have forgotten me entirely. Years of pent–up resentment boiled over.
I shot to my feet.
“Mom, you know Verena and I are sisters. What kind of younger sister steals her older sister’s fiancé? And what kind of parents encourage it?”
Tears blurred my vision, “Since you think Verena is better in every way, why not let me leave?”
Her answer was a slap across my face.
“Who taught you to talk to me like that? Your bastard adoptive parents? Disgusting! With that filthy mouth, you’ll never be half the woman your sister is!“:
Verena was earning 1,500 dollars a month at her internship, yet never gave a cent to the family. I had been transferring the same amount faithfully every month, but in their eyes, my money meant nothing.
Fury surged through me. I grabbed the shopping bags from my mother’s hands and hurled them to the floor. She staggered back, clutching her chest.
“You… traitor!”
My father raised an ashtray, ready to smash it against my skull—when the door opened.
Verena walked in. In an instant, my parents‘ rage melted away. Their faces softened, indulgent smiles spreading as they rushed to her side.
“How are things with Nick? Everything going well?”
“Mom always said you’re a perfect match! He earns fifty thousand a month–you’ll live like a queen once you marry him.“E Verena blushed, lowering her gaze.
“Mom….we’re not even dating yet. What are you saying?”
Mom waved her off. “Nonsense! Nick gave me this for you. He didn’t have time to buy a gift, so he sent cash instead. Ten thousand dollars–for a betrothal gift!”
Their joy was blinding.
Only then did Verena notice me standing there. Her eyes filled with tears, her lips trembling.
“Sister.. you know everything?”
She wore that familiar fragile look, the one that always won their sympathy.
“didn’t mean for this to happen. It was Brother Nick who said he never really wanted to marry you. So… Mom and Dad thought of me instead. Please don’t be mad, okay?”
I froze.
“He said that?”
