Chapter 1First day of summer break, and my parents lined me up with another job.
"Cashier at the grocery store. You're graduating soon—you need real-world experience."
From freshman to senior year, they'd been saying this for four years straight.
Freshman year?
They dumped me in a restaurant kitchen and took my sister to Yellowstone.
Sophomore year?
Stuck me at a 7-Eleven while they went to the Grand Canyon.
Junior year?
Shipped me off to a factory floor, then jetted to Hawaii with her.
So where's it this year?
"Cancun."
My brother walked in grinning, holding out a pair of sneakers.
"Got these just for you. Super comfy for ten-hour shifts."
I looked at the four of them—one big happy family.
Something in me just... cracked.
I didn't say anything. Just bent down and slipped on the shoes.
Guess I'll take these as my only keepsake from this house.
Because I'm never coming back.
...
Mom was packing for my sister when something hit her.
She called out to my brother.
"Ryder, Jade's graduating next year. You need to hook her up with a good job."
"College grads are everywhere now. Decent positions are hard to find, so you—"
She stopped mid-sentence.
Like she suddenly remembered there was already a graduating senior—ME—in the room.
Ryder didn't flinch:
"Don't worry, Mom. I've got it handled. Soon as Jade graduates, she's set."
He paused.
Finally remembered I existed, I guess.
"Uh, Mara, you need help or anything?"
"Nope."
I'd already found something. International assignment in South America.
Soon as I got my diploma, I was gone.
"Cool." He didn't push it.
Dad sensed the tension and jumped in with his usual cheerfulness.
"Mara always been independent. Never gives us trouble."
My fingers froze on my shoelace.
Not independent.
I just knew that if I didn't handle everything myself, nobody would.
Ryder was the golden firstborn. Six years of undivided attention.
Jade was the baby—only one year younger than me, but still Daddy's little princess.
And me? Stuck in the middle. Invisible.
Jade set down her Coke and grabbed my arm.
"Mara, want me to bring you something back?"
She looked so sincere, but I caught that flicker of guilt in her eyes.
She knew. She knew this wasn't fair.
But I also knew—
She'd forget.
Just like every other trip.
She'd remember Mom's scarf. Dad's tie. Vintage cameras for Ryder.
But never anything for me.
And that guilt would vanish in five seconds flat.
I was used to it.
"Whatever you find."
Mom stopped folding clothes and smiled at me.
"See how sweet your sister is?"
"Shouldn't you, like, give her something for bringing you a gift?"
Dad jumped right in, like he'd been waiting for his cue.
"Here's what we'll do—give Jade your first paycheck as spending money."
"Oh, you don't have to." Jade glanced at me, voice all breezy and fake-modest.
Ryder ruffled her hair.
"Don't be shy. Just have fun."
They carved up my summer wages in thirty seconds. Didn't even ask.
Freshman through senior year. Same thing every time.
Last year, after I paid tuition, I was flat broke.
Asked Jade to spot me fifty bucks for food. She Venmo'd me.
Yet five minutes later, Mom and Ryder both called.
"You're in college and you're scamming your little sister?"
"Act like an older sister for once. If you're broke, ask Mom and Dad. Don't squeeze Jade dry."
But an hour before that, I'd texted Mom. She left me on read.
Jade's texts? Instant replies.
My phone buzzed. I grabbed the shoes and headed to my room.
Message from work.
"Paperwork's done. Report to the Denver office Monday."
"Got it."
Chapter 2
Right after I hit send, someone knocked.
Jade walked in and went straight for my suitcase.
"I need this. Mine's ugly and I'm not showing up in Cancun with that."
"Can't. I'm using it."
"For what? You never go anywhere."
I didn't answer.
She didn't want my suitcase because it was pretty. She wanted it because she could trash it without feeling bad.
No matter how careful I was, it always came back dented and scratched.
The air got weird. She stared at me, face tight.
When I didn't budge, she turned and slammed the door.
I counted silently.
Five. Four. Three. Two... One.
BANG.
The door flew open again.
"Mara."
Mom and Dad. Right on schedule. Ryder trailing behind.
"Your sister wants to borrow your suitcase. Why are you being so difficult?"
"What kind of sister won't share? Are we even a family?"
"I'm using it."
This time, I didn't back down.
"Fine. She doesn't want to lend it, whatever."
Jade's voice cracked from behind them, eyes all red and wounded.
Mom and Dad wrapped her up, cooing reassurances.
Ryder looked at me for a long second. Then he walked to his room.
Came back with a sky-blue suitcase.
"Here, Jade. Use this."
My hand tightened on the doorknob. I'd given him that suitcase.
Jade knew. She glanced at me, slow and deliberate.
"I don't know, Ryder... Mara might get upset."
Ryder's face was blank. Because this was intentional.
He opened his mouth—I cut him off.
"It's fine. I gave it to him. He can do whatever he wants with it."
Silence.
Ryder whipped around, jaw tight.
But he didn't say a word. Just walked off with Jade.
At dinner, nobody called me.
By the time I came out, they were deep in conversation.
"Greige is sophisticated and warm. I'm voting greige for the paint."
Mom's verdict. Ryder chimed right in.
"Pearl white's more modern though. Clean, minimalist."
Jade was grinning.
"I don't care what you do with the rest of the house. My room's my call."
Dad stayed out of it, happily eating. Then he spotted me.
Coughed.
The chatter died instantly.
So... They'd bought a new house.
And I was the last to know.
I sat down and grabbed some bean. Eating them felt like swallowing needles.
Mom and Dad exchanged a look. She cleared her throat.
"Mara, honey, we got a new place. Rooms are already assigned. You can check it out when you're free."
I forced down what was in my mouth. My voice came out rough.
"How long ago?"
"Six months. Just... never found the right time to tell you."
Never found the time.
Or never wanted to.
I could tell the difference.
"Mm. What's the code?"
"971604."
Ryder's birthday. Jade's birthday. Mashed together.
I looked up at her.
"Mom. When's my birthday?"
She froze. Looked confused.
"What? Did you forget your own birthday?"
Dad actually laughed. Thought I was serious.
"You were born in winter. Wasn't even your due date yet. It was snowing. Your mom slipped, almost didn't make it through labor. She says you came here just to make her suffer."
Mom coughed, uncomfortable. Looked away.
"Why are you bringing that up?"
I dropped my gaze. My hands were shaking.
A few minutes later, Ryder and Jade finished eating, dumped their plates in the sink, and left.
Dad got up. Then Mom.
"House rule, Mara. Whoever finishes last does the dishes."
I stared at the table. Leftovers and dirty plates everywhere.
I was always last.
Because nobody told me when dinner was ready.
Mom called Ryder. Dad called Jade.
By the time I came out, half the food was gone.
So yeah. Dishes were always mine.
Chapter 3
While I was cleaning up, Grandma and Grandpa called.
"Ryder told us you're taking Jade to Cancun?"
"Yeah, Mom. Need us to bring you anything?"
Grandma laughed. Said no.
"Mara's not going?"
Mom answered without thinking.
"Oh, she's not. She wants to work. Gain experience."
"That girl..." Grandpa sighed. But didn't push.
Because for four years, Mom and Dad always gave the same answers.
"Mara's not going to Disney?"
"Nope. She's studying."
"She's not skiing with you guys?"
"Nah. She doesn't like sports."
"No photoshoot?"
"She's breaking out. Doesn't want pictures."
In their version of me, I was boring. A loner. A martyr who lived to suffer.
That way, nobody could call them out. Because this was just who I was.
The doorbell rang.
I put the last dish away, wiped my eyes, and answered the door.
"Package for you. Sign here."
My diploma.
Relief flooded through me.
I could leave now.
"What'd you get?"
Ryder's voice behind me.
He was holding milk, eyeing the smile on my face.
"My diploma."
"Oh." He started to leave, then stopped.
"What do you want as a graduation gift? I promised I'd get you something."
I blinked. Didn't think he'd actually remember.
I'd never expected anything.
I thought for a second. Then looked up at him.
"Come with me tomorrow to get a shot."
International assignment meant mandatory vaccines. Company policy.
"That's it?"
He looked surprised.
I nodded.
"That's it."
He shrugged.
"Sure."
Next afternoon, I stood by the door with my bag, waiting.
When Ryder came out, he looked apologetic.
"Jade needs to grab some outfits for the trip. I'll drop her off first, then come back for you."
"But I have an appointment."
"Just reschedule. Jade's in a rush. She leaves tomorrow."
I opened my mouth. Then closed it.
Jade saw me go quiet. Her eyes went red. She tugged at her shirt.
"Maybe I shouldn't go shopping. Ryder, you should take Mara."
Ryder shut her down immediately.
"Don't be ridiculous. You need to look good for vacation, right?"
Then, like he suddenly realized how that sounded, he tossed the decision to me.
"Mara. What do you think?"
I met his eyes. That look—waiting, pressing.
I was so tired.
They acted like I had a choice. But we all knew I didn't.
"Go ahead."
Ryder relaxed.
Jade kissed my cheek.
"Thanks, sis."
"No problem."
I went to the clinic alone.
Afterwards, I booked a train ticket to Denver for the next day.
When I got home, Jade was showing Mom and Dad everything she'd bought.
At the end, she pulled out clothes she'd gotten for them.
Mom gushed. Then she saw me. Her smile dropped.
"Mara, I'm just saying—look at your sister. She's thoughtful. She got us gifts. You never think about us."
"With what money?"
Jade could buy gifts because Mom gave her two grand before she left.
She was just regifting. Mom knew that. But she still used it to twist the knife.
"What's that supposed to mean? You mad I didn't give you money? How old are you? Still jealous of your sister?"
Mom looked stunned that I'd talked back. Then she went off.
"I'm twenty-four. One year older than her."
"Enough!"
Dad snapped at me.
"You're a grown woman. Why are you talking to your mother like this?"
Ryder stared at me, expression complicated.
"Mara, what's with the attitude lately?"
With everyone on her side, Mom's eyes filled with tears. She turned and went to her room.
"Mara. You need to apologize."
Jade blocked my path, gripping my arm. Dead serious.
"Let go."
She shook her head. Eyes full of righteous judgment.
"She's your mother. She gave you life. How can you treat her like this? You're being so disrespectful."
Something hollow opened up in my chest.
Out of everyone in this house, she had the least right to lecture me.
I'd bent over backwards. Kept my mouth shut.
And I still wasn't allowed to push back.
Everyone loved her. So whatever she did was right.
"How noble of you."
My voice was flat. I didn't even look at her.
But those words hit her like a slap. Her face twisted. She screamed at me.
"No wonder Mom and Dad don't like you. You're a freak!"
She shoved me hard and ran to her room.
I slammed into the table. Pain shot through my side.
Ryder rushed to comfort Jade.
Dad went after Mom.
Nobody checked on me.
Perfect.
I clutched my stomach and dragged myself to my room.
That night, no one called me for dinner.
I was in too much pain to eat anyway.
But when I came out to use the bathroom, the dirty dishes were still piled on the table.
They were waiting for me to clean up.
Probably thought they were doing me a favor. Giving me a chance to crawl back.
Like I'd play the maid again just to win their approval.
Not anymore.
