Chapter 1
When I was five, Dad suddenly brought home a little girl.
“Riley, this is your sister Casey. From today on, she’s the only princess in our family![]
As he spoke, he snatched the doll from my hands and placed it in the little girl’s arms.[]
“Your sister has had a rough time out there. Let her have this doll, and I’ll buy you a new one.“]
Just a doll. Not a big deal… So I agreed and gave up my doll to her.
But once Casey had my doll, Dad completely forgot about buying me a new one. Eventually, Mom bought me a new one instead
As soon as I got it, Casey saw it.]
Immediately, she snatched it from my hands and shrieked, “That’s MINE!]
“No, it’s not! Mom bought this one for me! I protested.]
As I reached for it, she pinched my arin hard, making ine scream in pain.[]
Heard of my pain voice, Grandma rushed over to separate us. Seeing the purple bruise forming on my arm, she angrily swatted Casey’s bottom twice.]]
However, as Dad witnessed this, he immediately pulled Casey into his arms, his face stern. “Mom, how could you treat Casey like that? She was already neglected at her maternal grandmother’s home, and now she comes here just to get hit? If you can’t treat both girls equally, maybe you shouldn’t be here anymore!“]
Grandma trembled with anger. “Did you not see what she did to Riley’s arm? It’s completely bruised“]
Dad barely glanced at my arm. “It’s no biggie. Kids fight–it happens. Mom, if you’re gonna play favorites like this, maybe you should just go.“]
Grandma was so furious she packed her bags and left that very day. Meanwhile, Casey curled up in Dad’s arms, flashing me a smug little smile.
e new one?
I couldn’t wrap my head around it. I’d already given her my toys, so why was she still taking mine i
Dad ruffled my hair later. “Look, Riley, Casey grew up in the countryside. She had it rough. We need to repay her.”
I didn’t get it. Why was her tough life somehow need me to repay her?]
That day, when Mom came home from work and saw the purple bruise spreading across my arm, she exploded at Dad. Their shouting match lasted for hours.]
Later, the next morning, Mom specially made me a cheese pudding for breakfast while giving Casey a glass of milk.
I hated milk, which is why Mom always made the pudding to get some dairy in me. But the second Casey spotted it, she went ballistic
“I want pudding too!” she screamed, pointing at my bowl. “That’s not fair! I ALSO WANT THAT!”
Dad’s face clouded over as he glared at Mom. “Seriously, Jenna? Would it kill you to make another pudding?”
d slid it in fro
Without waiting for a response, he swiped my pudding and slid it in front of Casey. He didn’t even bother giving me her milk as a replacement.
I sat there watching as Casey stabbed at the pudding with her spoon, mashing it into a sloppy mess. After destroying it completely, she pushed it away–never taking a single bite.
Mom was so furious, then she hugged me and took me directly to the daycare. [
Thank goodness Casey was three years older, which meant she went to elementary school instead of being at the same school with me.
But my relief didn’t last long. Soon I turned six, and it was time for elementary school.]]
Mom bought me a new backpack with Rapunzel on it. I was thrilled and proudly placed it beside my bed.]
e next m
But when I woke up the messy marker scribbles.
morning, my beautiful backpack was gone–replaced with Casey’s old one that was covered in
I burst into tears. Mom was still at her night shift, and Dad had no patience for me. “Riley! What are you crying about? Casey never had a backpack this nice when she was little. She’s the princess of this family–she gets it first!”
With tears streaming down my face, I refused to accept it. Dad twisted my ear and made. me stand in the corner. I wailed so loud the entire building could hear me.||
Meanwhile, Casey stuck her tongue out at me. “Riley, I’m the princess and you’re just the ugly maid“]]
She went off to school with my new backpack, while I dragged the old one, crying so hard I was soaked in sweat. In the end, I never even made it to registration that day.[]
When Mom got home from her shift and found out, she immediately rushed out to buy me another backpack, then came home and started arguing with Dad again.
“Dave, you’re being way too biased!! Riley is your daughter too. How could you let her cry until her voice was hoarse?“]
“Casey was too young to be so materialistic. What’s wrong with using an old backpack?“]
Dad conveniently forgot that Casey also had a brand new backpack when she started first grade.
That night, Mom slept with me in my small bed, leaving Casey to Dad. No matter how tearfully Casey looked at her, Mom completely ignored her.]
Curled up in Mom’s arms, I felt so warm and safe.[]
