EPISODE 4

• I could see something breaking in him, a trust he’d carried for decades now torn to pieces. And as for me, I sat frozen, each word from their mouths cutting deeper, proving that love in this house had never been equal. I couldn’t sit there another second. My chair scraped loudly against the floor as I pushed back, and without looking at anyone, I walked out.
• My chest was tight, my hands were shaking, and every step felt like I was dragging chains behind me. I made it to the front porch before the tears finally spilled. The night air was cool, but it did nothing to calm the storm inside me. The door opened behind me. Dad’s footsteps followed quickly, and then his hand touched my shoulder.
• His voice was softer than I’d ever heard it. Emily, I’m so sorry. I should have asked you directly all this time. I trusted blindly, and you paid the price. I wiped at my face, unable to look at him. Do you know what it was like for me? My words cracked. I thought you didn’t care. I thought I wasn’t worth it.
• His face twisted with guilt. No, no, don’t think that. You were always my priority. I wanted to give you a chance to focus on school, not on survival. And now I see how badly I failed you. His voice broke on the last word. I shook my head. It’s not your fault. You didn’t know. But even as I said it, the ache in my chest grew deeper because someone had known.
• Dad took my hand and squeezed it firmly. I’ll make this right. I don’t care what it takes. I won’t let this continue. His tone left no room for doubt. Behind us, the door creaked open again. Mom’s voice rang out, sharp and defensive. Emily, don’t twist things. You’re turning your father against us. You’re making him believe you’re some kind of victim.
• The words sliced through me. I spun around meeting her eyes. And for the first time, I didn’t hold back. Stop. Don’t you dare blame me. You watched me break my back. You let me suffer while Ashley lived like a queen. And now you’re angry because the truth is out. Her mouth opened like she wanted to argue, but I didn’t let her speak.
• My voice shook, but it carried all the weight of years I had bottled up. You don’t love me. If you did, you wouldn’t have chosen her over me every single time. Her face hardened and in that moment I saw it clearly. There was nothing in her eyes for me. No softness, no regret, just coldness. I turned back toward dad who looked at her with the same disbelief I felt.
• He pulled me close, shielding me with his arms as if to prove where he stood. For the first time, I realized I had nothing left to hold on to when it came to my mother. Whatever bond was supposed to be there was gone, and I wasn’t going to beg for it anymore. That night, standing on the porch under the dim light, I knew the family I thought I had no longer existed.