Chapter 36

Chapter 36 The parent–teacher day came around.

Seeing my classmates with their parents, I felt a growing resentment toward Ashley. I often found myself wondering, who was the real child here, her or me?

No answers came my way.

I got the seat closest to the teacher’s podium.

Parents streamed in, and it seemed like everyone was staring at me.

The whispers started, “Her parents are around, but why show up for one kid’s conference and skip the other’s?”

“What kind of parents play favorites like that?”

The headteacher walked in last, and the empty seat next to me didn’t escape her notice.

In my previous life, I sat there in the corner. Feeling all those eyes on me, I couldn’t take it and rushed out in a huff.

But this time, I didn’t dodge the glances. “Sorry, my folks can’t make it,” I told the teacher, who understood my situation and gave me a sympathetic nod.

After the conference, I packed it up and headed home, the same as always.

But at the school gate, I saw them. It was like my feet were 0.00%

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glued to the spot.

There was my mom, wiping Ashley’s forehead, my dad carrying her bag, and my brother, who’d rushed over from college, offering her chocolates.

Chocolates? I could barely remember what they tasted like.

I wished, just for a second, that they’d turn around and see me, their other daughter.

I was always there behind them.

But they never looked back.

They got into their shiny new car. I instinctively checked my phone, only to find nothing. No calls, no texts.

I felt a pang of loss.

I waited until seven o’clock in the evening, but they didn’t show up.

I was starving, so I hit my usual burger joint. That was when my dad called.

When the call connected, he snapped, “Where the hell have you been? It’s not the end of the world because of a stupid conference!”

Mom took the phone, sounding lost. “Grace, did I say something wrong? Don’t be upset with me. Where are you?”

Ashley’s voice came through all watery. “I’m sorry, Grace. I didn’t mean to take your parents from you. I’m almost eighteen. I can leave and give you your space.”

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36 288 Wouchers My brother chimed in, “We’re not going to miss you if you don’t come back. Ashley, you’re staying put, got it?”

The call was so loud.

I barely touched my burger when I hung up, telling them I’d be right back. When I got home, they were all in the living room, gunning for me with questions.

There was a sliver of cake left. My brother, right in front of me, gave it to Ashley. My mom started, “We thought you’d be late, so...”

“No big deal. I’m not into sweets anymore,” I said, looking away.

My dad banged the table. “Grace, what’s wrong with you? Do you know how late it is? Why did you come home so late?”

I kept my voice as even as I could. “Who gave me a key?”

The moment I said that, my folks locked eyes, and my mom’s face turned panic–stricken.

I had a house key once, but when Ashley came into the . picture two years back, they told me to give it to her.

My mom said she’d sort me out with a new one, but it slipped through the cracks.

My brother sneered, “Grace, I know what’s up in your sleeve. You’re just trying to play the victim, aren’t you? If you don’t speak up, it’s on you!”

I wasn’t blaming anyone, and to be honest, it wasn’t my spot to do so. We had our share of tiffs, but all I got was being labeled a “wild child“, never measuring up to Ashley.

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Chapter 36 Now I didn’t even fight for anything, but why did I still end up being the one at fault?