My name is Emily and until a year ago I thought my parents loved me or at least I thought they cared about me enough to treat me fairly looking back I don’t know if I was just naive or if I had been ignoring the signs my whole life because if I had been paying attention I would have seen it Jessica was always their favorite she was The Golden Child the one who could do no wrong the one whose happiness was more important than anyone else’s and that was the afterthought the younger sister who was supposed to be understanding to be okay

With getting less to be fine with being put second and for a long time I was I grew up in Jessica Shadow when she wanted something she got it I wasn’t even jealous I had learned early on that this was just the way things were if I asked for something I usually got a maybe or we’ll see if she asked it was an automatic yes but I never thought they would take something that was mine my college fund had been set up when I was young I don’t remember the details just that my grandparents had left some money for my education and my parents

Had always reassured me that when the time came I wouldn’t have to worry it’s not a fortune my dad had told me when I was in high school but it’s enough to get you through I had never questioned it never thought to check how much was actually there never worried about it at all and then one evening everything changed I remember that night so clearly I was sitting at the dinner table going over some last minute paperwork for my college applications my acceptance letters had already come in and I was trying to decide which school to choose

It was an exciting kind of stress the kind that felt like the beginning of something big my parents were in the kitchen talking in hushed voices I wasn’t paying attention at first too focused on my laptop screen but then I heard my sister’s name Jessica had gotten engaged a few months earlier and the wedding planning had been in full swing every conversation in our house revolved around color schemes catering venues and guest lists it was exhausting at first I thought they were just talking about more wedding details but

Something in my mom’s tone made me stop typing I wasn’t sure why but I had the sudden urge to listen completely covered she was saying the venue alone was nearly 25,000 my dad sighed it’s a once–in a-lifetime thing I know she said and I want it to be perfect for her she deserves the best there was a pause then my dad’s voice quieter this time you took care of the rest right my mom hesitated it’s done what about Emily my stomach Twisted at the sound of my name shek be fine my mom said her voice light almost dismissive she can take out

Loans I froze for a second I thought I had misheard loans I turned in my seat heart pounding as I stared at them what are you talking about they both looked up surprised I hadn’t meant to say it so loudly but the words had come out sharp demanding my mom gave me a small smile like she was trying to reassure a child oh sweetheart don’t worry about it I pushed my chair back standing up don’t worry about what my dad let out a heavy sigh Emily sit down I didn’t instead I took a step closer my mind racing what did you mean when you said I could take

Out loans my mom and dad exchanged a look and I could tell they were deciding how much to tell me how much they could get away with I felt sick finally my mom let out a small sigh like this was a conversation she really didn’t want to have we had to move some things around she said to make sure everything was covered for the wedding I stared at her what things I asked even though I already knew she hesitated again then finally in the same casual tone someone might used to tell you they had run out of milk she said we used your college

Fun my ears started ringing I opened my mouth but no sound came out I looked at my dad hoping praying that he would say something that he would tell me she was wrong he didn’t instead he just sighed again rubbing his temples like I was the one being difficult Emily don’t overreact overreact I let out a short bitter laugh you use my college fund for Jessica’s wedding and you think I’m overreacting my mom frowned looking genuinely confused well yes you can always take out loans Emily College isn’t going anywhere I gripped the edge

Of the table that money was supposed to be for my education and you’ll still get an education she said patiently like I was a stubborn child plenty of people take out student loans it’s normal I could feel my hands shaking it was my money it was family money my dad corrected and we had to make a choice I shook my head trying to process this a choice between my future and a party Emily my mom side exasperated now it’s not just a party it’s Jessica’s wedding it’s one of the most important days of her life we couldn’t just give her a

Half-hearted celebration I felt like I was going to throw up all my life I had known that Jessica was their favorite but this this was something else this was them telling me in no uncertain terms that her one day mattered more than my entire future I swallowed trying to keep my voice steady and you weren’t even going to tell me we were going to sit you down and explain my dad said like that made it better we just hadn’t gotten around to it yet I clenched my jaw Jessica chose that moment to walk into the kitchen humming to herself she

Stopped when she saw me her eyes flicking between me and our parents uh what’s going on I turned to look at her and suddenly the anger inside me had a direction you knew didn’t you I asked my voice dangerously quiet Jessica blinked knew what that they were using my college fund to pay for your wedding she hesitated just for a second then she shru mom and dad said it was fine they said you’d be okay my whole body went cold she didn’t even care I had always thought of Jessica as selfish but I never thought she would be this selfish

You didn’t even think to ask me I whispered didn’t think to see if I was okay with it she frowned Emily why are you making such a big deal out of this I laughed I actually laughed because it is a big deal I snapped that money was for my future and you just I gestured wildly my voice Rising took it Jessica rolled her eyes oh my God are you really going to throw a tantrum over this I felt my heart shatter I looked at my parents and you’re really okay with this my mom gave me a small condescending smile sweetheart you’ll understand when you’re

Older I stared at them my chest rising and falling with uneven breaths then without another word I turned and walked out the door I don’t remember getting into my car I don’t remember turning the key in the ignition or backing out of the driveway all I remember is the way my hands trembled on the steering wheel the way my vision blurred as I tried to Blink back the tears I drove without thinking my mind kept replaying the conversation over and over each word slicing deeper you’ll understand when you’re older why are you making such a

Big deal it was family money I pulled into an empty parking lot and just sat there for the first time in my life I felt truly alone my parents had chosen Jessica again but this time they hadn’t just favored her they had taken from me taken something that was supposed to be mine something I had counted on and they hadn’t even cared enough to tell me I let my head fall against the steering wheel my breath shaky this wasn’t just about the money it was about what it meant they didn’t value me they didn’t care about my future they didn’t even

See me as important enough to deserve a conversation before they made their decision I don’t know how long I sat there but eventually my phone bust I wiped my face and looked at the screen Jessica texted Are you seriously still mad you’re being dramatic I stared at the message then slowly I turned my phone off and set it down I had a decision to make I could go back home I could cry I could beg them to reconsider though I knew it wouldn’t change anything or I could accept the truth I could stop expecting them to be

Different I could stop waiting for them to see me the way I had always wanted them to and I could walk away it wasn’t an easy decision but in that moment sitting alone in my car with the weight of betrayal pressing down on me I made a choice I was going to take care of myself I didn’t go back home that night instead said I went to a friend’s house someone who had always been there for me in ways my own family never had she didn’t ask too many questions just let me crash on her couch and gave me a blanket the next morning I started

Looking for jobs I wasn’t going to college anymore at least not right away I had no money for it and I sure as hell wasn’t about to put myself in debt while my sister Walt into a fairy tale wedding funded by what was supposed to be my future so I worked at first it was just a basic job at a coffee shop early shifts long hours aching feet but I wasn’t just working for a paycheck I was working with a purpose every spare moment I was learning I spent my nights researching watching videos taking notes I stumbled into the world of online

Business side hustles passive income and for the first time I felt hopeful I started a small business online at first it barely made anything just a couple of dollars here and there but I kept at it while Jessica was off planning her W I was building Something Real by the time her wedding day arrived I wasn’t there I wasn’t invited not that I would have gone anyway they never called to ask where I was never sent a message to check in it was like I had just stopped existing to them and honestly that was fine because while they were celebrating

Jessica’s big day I was grinding I was putting in the work and by the end of that first year I had done what I never thought possible I had made $300,000 one year later I was sitting in my apartment my apartment when my phone rang it was a number I didn’t recognize but something told me to answer I pressed the button and lifted it to my ear hello there was a pause then Emily I knew that voice it was my mother I leaned back in my chair crossing my legs well didn’t expect to hear from you there was an awkward chuckle well

Sweetheart it’s been a while how have you been I smiled to myself oh you know just making a living another pause that’s good she said quickly that’s really good I waited I could feel it coming well she continued her voice suddenly much softer we were actually hoping we could talk to you about something I raised an eyebrow oh yes she said clearing her throat you see things have been a little difficult for us financially lately there it was I almost laughed oh I said again keeping my voice neutral what happened well she hesitated

We had to take out some loans for Jessica’s wedding and things haven’t exactly been easy your father and I were just wondering if you might be able to help out a little just until we get back on just until you get back on your feet I finished for her my voice was calm but inside I felt a slow burning Amusement there was a pause yes she said a little too quickly just a little help you know as a family family the word felt forign coming from her I leaned back in my chair twirling a pin between my fingers just curious I said keeping my tone

Casual but why me another pause I could almost hear the gears turning in her head well she finally said we know you’ve been doing well for yourself I let that sit between us for a moment so they knew they had ignored me for a year no calls no texts not even a passing how have you been but now suddenly when they were struggling they remembered I existed I could picture it so clearly Jessica whining about money my parents ringing their hands then someone saying wait a minute doesn’t Emily have money now I wanted to laugh instead I tilted

My head my voice still light I thought you said I could always take out loans silence I waited then my mother let out a nervous chuckle oh sweetheart that was different was it I asked my voice sharp now well yes she said as if it were obvious you were young you had time to figure things out we just thought no I interrupted my patience thinning you didn’t think not about me anyway there was a shift in her tone a little more forceful now Emily don’t be like this we are still your parents after everything we’ve done for you this is how you repay

Us I laughed I actually laughed everything you’ve done for me I repeated incredulous you stole my college fund you didn’t even tell me about it I had to find out like an afterthought you didn’t care about it would affect me you didn’t even bother to check on me after I left and now that you need money I’m suddenly your daughter again that’s not fair she said sharply fair I shot back Fair would have been giving me a choice Fair would have been at least acknowledging what you did instead of brushing it off but you didn’t because

You didn’t care and now you expect me to care about your problems she scoffed as if I was being ridiculous Emily we are your family we did care of you for years gave you a roof over your head and now when we need you you’re just going to turn your back on us ah there it was the guilt trip classic I exhaled slowly I don’t owe you anything the words came out quiet firm final excuse me she said her voice sharp with disbelief I don’t owe you anything I repeated my voice steady you made your choice you chose Jessica you chose her wedding over my

Future you told me to take out loans if I wanted to go to college so why don’t you do the same there was a sharp inhale on the other end of the line then how dare you Bingo my mother’s voice had lost all its fake sweetness now she sounded like what she truly was angry entitled desperate after everything we’ve done for you you’re just going to let a struggle I felt a smile tug at my lips yep you ungrateful little I hung up and for the first time in a long long time I felt free but I should have expected what happened next

A week after that phone call I was enjoying a quiet Saturday morning in my apartment sipping coffee and scrolling through my phone when I heard a knock at the door at first I thought it was a package delivery or maybe an nebor but when I checked the peephole my stomach Twisted standing outside were my parents and behind them arms crossed and looking annoyed was Jessica I took a deep breath schooling my features into something neutral before unlocking the door and opening it just a crack Emily my mother said her voice laced with false warmth

Sweetheart we just wanted to talk I raised an eyebrow really because last time we talked you called me ungrateful and hung up on me my father cleared his throat shifting uncomfortably we were upset he muttered avoiding my gaze Jessica scoffed arms still crossed yeah well you were being a total bee I shut the door in their faces the knock came again harder this time Emily my mother snapped don’t you dare I opened the door again leaning against the frame if you’re just here to insult me you can turn right back around my mother took a

Deep breath forcing a tight lip smile we’re not here to fight we just want to have a conversation face to face like a family a family now they wanted to act like we were one I folded my arms fine say what you need to say they exchanged glances before my father spoke Emily we’re struggling he said as if that wasn’t already clear things have been tough and well we could really use your help I tilted my head huh that’s funny because a year ago when I was struggling you told me I could just take out loans Jessica groaned oh my God are you still

On about that I smiled sweetly you mean the part where my entire future was stolen from me so you could have a Pinterest wedding yeah Jess I am still on about that her face turned red you’re being ridiculous you’re rich now aren’t you it’s not like you even needed College why does it even matter anymore I love let out a low laugh W you really don’t get it do you I shook my head then turned to my parents you know I remember when I begged you not to touch my college fund you shrugged and said I’d be fine you told me I’d figure it out my

Mother stiffened Emily that’s not I cut her off mimicking her tone from that day loon exist for a reason a little struggle builds character you’re young you’ll bounce back their faces dropped I watched them squirm for a second before continuing my voice stripping with mock concern so why don’t you take out loans why don’t you build some character struggle a little you’re not too old to bounce back right Jessica’s face Twisted in Rage that’s not fair I smirked oh so now you care about fairness my father sighed heavily Emily we are your family

Families help each other I let that sink in for a moment then very calmly I said you weren’t my family when you stole my future you weren’t my family when you didn’t invite me to the wedding you weren’t my family when you ignored me for a year you only remembered I was family when you needed money silence Jessica clenched her fists God you’re such a selfish brat I Shrugged maybe but at least I can afford to be that was it that was the final straw my mother’s face Twisted in Rage and my father muttered something under his breath but

I didn’t care I stepped back inside and without another word I shut the door in their faces and this time I didn’t open it again again another year passed I didn’t hear from them again not directly at least I’d get the occasional passive aggressive text from distant relatives things like family is forever Emily or you’ll regret turning your back on the people who raised you I ignored them because while they were busy wallowing in self-pity I was thriving my business exploded what started as a side hustle became a full-fledged Empire by the time

I turned 23 I wasn’t just comfortable I was a millionaire and my family oh they were drowning it wasn’t just the debts Jessica’s marriage the one they destroyed my future defund fell apart within a year turns out the perfect wedding doesn’t guarantee a perfect marriage she moved back home broke bitter and angry at the world my parents were worse off than ever my dad’s job Cut Is Ours my mom’s little side business never took off and with the economy the way it was they were struggling to keep the house and still I

Heard nothing from them until one day I got a text mom texted Emily please call me it’s important I stared at the message for a long moment then out of pure curiosity I called she picked up on the first ring Emily she breathed like she’d just been rescued from a shipwreck oh sweetheart I I cut her off what do you want a pause then the sa story started how they were behind on the mortgage how the bills were piling up how the stress was tearing the family apart and then the real reason she called Emily she said her voice trembling we

Need your help I smiled oh what kind of help she hesitated like she was debating whether to say it outright or dance around it finally she swallowed her Pride financial help she admitted just something to get us back on our feet I almost laughed the sheer audacity I leaned back in my chair twirling a pin between my fingers so let me get this straight I said slowly you stole my future you forced me to struggle you told me to just take out loans and now you want a handout it’s not like that she said quickly Emily we’re family Oh

You mean like how I was family when you stole my college fund or when you didn’t invite me to the wedding or when you ignored me for a year silence I let it stretch for a moment before sighing dramatically well Mom I said loans exist for a reason her breath hitched a little struggle builds character I continue you’re not too old to bounce back right she started crying I let her when she finally stammered out I I don’t know what we going to do I just smiled and said you’ll figure it out and then I hung up I haven’t spoken to them since

As I sat there staring at my phone screen I couldn’t help but Wonder was I being cruel