The word tasted bitter.
“Thirty relatives think I’m the ungrateful daughter who abandoned her parents. Meanwhile, Marcus, who hasn’t held a job in three years, is the family hero.”
Daniel reached for my hand.
“And here’s the worst part.”
My voice cracked.
“I’m losing myself. Every holiday I sit in that corner and I feel like I’m 18 again. Invisible. Worthless.”
“So what do you want to do?”
I’d been asking myself that question for days.
“I could confront them, but it’s my word against theirs.”
“Your accountant has records.”
I looked up.
“What?”
“Margaret. She’s been doing your taxes for years. She has every transfer documented.”
Something shifted in my chest. A small flame of hope.
“If I do this, I lose them. My parents. For good.”
Daniel’s eyes were steady. Certain.
“Serena, you lost them years ago. You just haven’t accepted it yet.”
His words hit like a physical blow because they were true. I had been mourning parents I never really had. Chasing approval that would never come. Paying for love that was never for sale.
“I’ll wait,” I finally said. “One more chance. One more sign.”
Christmas was two weeks away. I didn’t know the sign would come so clearly.
Christmas Eve.
My parents’ house glowed with string lights and false warmth. Daniel squeezed my hand in the car.
“You sure about this?”
“No.”
I grabbed the bottle of wine I’d brought.
“But I need to know if Thanksgiving was a fluke. Maybe I misheard.”
I hadn’t misheard. Deep down, I knew. But hope is a stubborn thing.
The door swung open before I could knock.
“Oh.”
Mom’s hug lasted exactly one second.
“You made it.”
Not, I’m so glad you’re here. Not, Merry Christmas, sweetheart.
Just, You made it, like I was an afterthought.
The living room overflowed with relatives, aunts, uncles, cousins, their kids. The tree sparkled. Mariah Carey played on the speaker. And there, in the center of it all, sat Marcus.
Dad handed him a glass of whiskey.
“Marcus, tell everyone about your new business venture.”
“Well.”
Marcus leaned back, basking in attention.
“I’m looking into some investment opportunities. Real estate, mostly. Just waiting for the right moment.”
Translation: He was unemployed and living off our parents. Off my money.
Aunt Ruth caught my eye and waved me over.
“Serena, how’s work? Your mother says you’re always so busy.”
“It’s fine, Aunt Ruth.”
I forced a smile.
