Three months before my wedding, my fiancé, Henry Siebert, decided it was the perfect time to drop a maternity photo shoot on social media—with my foster sister, Betty Foster. The caption? Oh, just this gem: [Legally welcoming our little one into the world.] Betty added a shy emoji. And my mom? She liked the post and wrote: [Once the baby is born, I'll help take care of it so you two can enjoy your time together as a couple.] I couldn't help myself. I replied with a single question mark. And then Henry's DMs came in hot: [She's just borrowing me for a year to get married. Once the baby's born, I'll come back to you.]
View MoreI blinked hard, refusing to let a single tear ruin my makeup. My voice was ice-cold as I said, "Dad didn't die because of me. He died because of you."You threw out the emergency heart medicine he kept for Grandma. Careless, right? You swore you'd replace it after work, but instead, you went for tea with your friends."That night, Grandma had a heart attack. She tried calling you, but you didn't pick up. Dad had no choice but to rush out to the pharmacy. That's when the car hit him."Mom's face twisted in disbelief. "You're lying. That's not true—it was your fault he died."I let out a laugh—cold, sharp, and bitter. "How long are you going to keep lying to yourself? You think Grandma cut you off for no reason?"You've always been weak, ducking responsibility and pinning your screw-ups on everyone else. But making me your scapegoat? That's a new low, even for you."You hated me because it was easier than facing the truth. So, tell me, Mom—am I actually your daughter?"Her face dr
Henry's face went ghost-white, like someone had just told him his favorite team lost the Super Bowl. Even his whole posture caved in like a deflated lawn chair."What? No way. You wouldn't give me up! You're lying!" he sputtered. "I don't believe it!"Then he went full-on meltdown mode.The security guards came. They tackled him and pinned him to the floor. He squirmed around like a fish out of water.And me? Yeah, I didn't feel bad. Not even a little.Henry and I? We were over. Like, forever over.***Later, Suzie spilled the tea: Henry took Betty to court for fraud and stealing his property.Even when Betty whipped out the "unborn child" card, begging him not to ruin her, Henry didn't flinch.So, naturally, Betty ran to my mom, sobbing and begging for backup.But once Henry dragged all her dirty laundry into the light, my mom finally woke up. She kicked Betty out without so much as a second thought.Betty? Oh, she lost it. Full-on meltdown. She grabbed a knife and went aft
Ray, Suzie, and I chatted for a bit outside the bar before Suzie, ever the drama queen, insisted on taking a cab home alone. "I don't want to third-wheel," she said.But it was late, and she'd had a few drinks—I wasn't about to let her go off by herself. So, Ray and I drove her home first.Once she was safely inside, it was just the two of us in the car.The warm night air and the close space made everything feel... heavier, more intimate.My head was already spinning from the drinks, and now my thoughts felt even hazier.Ray leaned in, slow and deliberate.I bit my lip, caught between nerves and excitement, completely unsure what to do next."Daphne," he whispered, his voice low and warm. "My Daphne..."His lips brushed the corner of my mouth—soft, hesitant, full of something deeper than words.My heart hammered so hard it felt like it might break free. My hands were slick with sweat."I'm scared this is a dream," he murmured, resting his forehead against mine. "That I'll wa
Out of nowhere, someone pulled me into a firm embrace and kicked the drunk guy away like it was nothing.Startled, I turned—and there he was. Ray."Which hand touched her?" His voice was ice, his glare sharp enough to freeze the room. "Or was it both?"The sharp crack of his shoe meeting the guy's hand was followed by a scream that made everyone flinch.Ray pressed down harder. "Still here? Leave. Now."The guy tripped over himself apologizing and stumbled away.In my memory, Ray had always been the calm, gentle type—a picture of grace and patience. Seeing him like this, furious and fierce, was a first.Once the drunk guy was gone, Ray turned back to me, cupping my cheek. "Good thing I got here in time. What would I have done if someone bullied my fiancée?"Fiancée. The word landed like a bomb, sending my heart racing."Ray? Oh my God, you're back!" Suzie blurted as I helped her up. "When did you get here? How long have you been back?"Ray patiently answered, "About an hour a
I laughed, loud and unapologetic. "Apologize to her? In your dreams."Right then, my ride pulled up. Perfect timing.Without sparing them another look, I climbed in, slammed the door, and left.***The next few days at the hotel were blissfully quiet—zero drama, zero toxic vibes. I was finally breathing easy.Then, ding, a text from my mom, ready to ruin my peace:[Daphne, it's my birthday today. Come home. I wasn't going to ask, but Betty begged me to let you come. Be sure to thank her.]Oh, I remembered her birthday, all right. But I wasn't that daughter anymore—the one who'd be bending over backward a week in advance, picking out gifts and making her day perfect.Nope. Not happening. That house wasn't my home anymore, and honestly, she wasn't my mom anymore either.Around noon, mid-bite of my peaceful lunch, another text rolled in:[Why aren't you here yet? Henry's already here. What kind of daughter shows up late to her mother's birthday party?][And I'm not even mad you
Betty dropped to her knees, full Oscar-worthy waterworks. "Mom, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to—boohoo—I'm so sorry, Mom. If Daphne won't forgive me, I'll just die!"Then came her dramatic sobbing."Betty, stop pre—"Slap!Mom's hand connected with my face before I even got the words out."Enough!" she screamed. "It's just ashes! The dead are gone—are ashes more important than the living? If you keep bullying Betty, you can get out of my house!"That slap? Yeah, it killed whatever shred of attachment I had left for her.Maybe it was for the best. I didn't belong here anymore anyway.Without a word, I wiped the blood off my lip, turned, and walked upstairs.No teary goodbyes, no dramatic speeches. If Betty had already claimed my room, what was the point of sticking around?Time to pack and bounce.I didn't bother with the gifts Mom had given me or the flashy jewelry Henry had tried to win me over with.And those old family photos? Burned. I wasn't the type to cling to the past.
I hung up.Apparently, 'leftovers' hit a nerve, because Henry wouldn't stop calling. When I didn't answer, he switched to spamming me with texts.I ignored all of them.In ten days, I'd be marrying Ray, and Henry, Betty, and the whole circus would be nothing but a bad memory.I was planning to ride out those last days in peace, detached and unbothered, but no—Betty just had to bring the drama.She shattered my dad's urn.The ashes spilled everywhere, but it wasn't enough for her. Nope. Her cat strutted in, did its business right on the remains, and Betty? She had the audacity to grin."Daphne, look! The ashes make great litter for my cat!"And just like that, all the grief, the rage, everything I'd been holding back exploded.I just grabbed the baseball bat behind the door and swung.The crack of impact was satisfying, but Betty's scream? Even better. She stumbled back, pale as a ghost, scrambling to get away.My mom rushed in. "Daphne! Are you insane? How dare you hit your
Henry shot me a glare. "I get it—you've been holding a grudge ever since I married Betty and, well, the whole 'got her pregnant behind your back' thing. Yeah, I should've told you sooner.""But that doesn't mean you can hurt her," he continued. "She's been through so much. All she wanted was to be a mom. Is that really so wrong? Why does she have to deal with your anger too?"Then he pointed at me. "You owe her an apology. Today."I could feel my whole body shaking, but I forced myself to stay calm. My voice came out rough. "What did I do wrong? Tell me. What exactly did I do wrong?"That threw him. He just stood there, totally caught off guard by the redness in my eyes.And then, cue Betty with her soft, tragic sigh. "It's fine, Henry. Forget it. Even though I almost died just now..."I don't blame Daphne. I don't need her apology. You two are getting married soon, and I don't want to cause any drama."Henry sighed and looked at her with tenderness. "Betty, your selflessness...
As soon as I hung up, my mom stormed into my room. "Where's the sapphire necklace your father left you?"I said nothing.Her face twisted, all offended. "What's with the attitude? Your sister thinks it's pretty and just wants to borrow it for a couple of days. Don't be so selfish!"Cue Betty, clinging to her. "Forget it, Mom," she said, with this fake little sigh. "Daphne's never really seen me as her sister. If she doesn't want to, it's fine. I won't force her."Mom's voice shot up a notch. "She doesn't get a choice! That necklace belonged to my husband, your father. And I'm deciding—it's Betty's now."Betty practically glowed while Mom doubled down. "If you don't hand it over, I'll send someone to tear your room apart."I stared at her, my lips curving into a bitter smile—the kind that stings more than tears ever could.The mom I used to remember—kind, warm—was gone. What stood in front of me now was someone cold and unrecognizable.But whatever. I'd be out of here soon, and
Three months before my wedding, my fiancé, Henry Siebert, decided it was the perfect time to drop a maternity photo shoot on social media—with my foster sister, Betty Foster.The caption? Oh, just this gem:[Legally welcoming our little one into the world.]Betty added a shy emoji. And my mom? She liked the post and wrote:[Once the baby is born, I'll help take care of it so you two can enjoy your time together as a couple.]I couldn't help myself. I replied with a single question mark. And then Henry's DMs came in hot:[She's just borrowing me for a year to get married. Once the baby's born, I'll come back to you.][Don't be so petty. My mom already said we'll only get the marriage certificate after you give me a son. This way, we can have the wedding first—it's perfect.]I hit him back with a cold [Mm,] wiped my profile clean of anything Henry-related, and posted a fresh update:[Missing a groom—who's up for the job?]Henry was the first to blow up my notifications:[Daphn
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