The Unwanted Daughter They Regretted Losing

Monica's POV

I had always wondered what it felt like to be loved without having to earn it perhaps it was the way my father smiled whenever James walked into a room, or how my mother never seemed to get tired of praising Myra. Maybe it was the way Liam could make the smallest mistake and still receive a reassuring pat on the shoulder. Whatever it was, I had never experienced it growing up in the Hayes family meant having everything money could buy but never having the one thing I desperately wanted love I stood outside the dining room, adjusting the sleeves of my cream-coloured blouse. The sound of laughter reached my ears, and for a moment, I considered turning around and returning to my bedroom but I was hungry, and I couldn't keep avoiding meals just because my family made me feel like an unwanted guest. Taking a deep breath, I stepped inside "Good morning," I greeted

Nobody answered my father sat at the head of the long marble dining table, scrolling through something on his tablet. My mother was beside him, speaking to James about an upcoming business event. Liam was busy with his phone, while Myra laughed at something James had said. They looked happy a perfect family I wondered what it would feel like to be part of that picture "Good morning" I repeated, a little louder

My mother briefly glanced at me "You're late"

I looked at the wall clock. It was barely eight in the morning "I'm sorry I didn't realise breakfast had started"

"Your father has an important meeting today. The least you could do is respect everyone's time."

I pressed my lips together "I'm sorry, mom"

I pulled out a chair and sat down. A housekeeper approached with my breakfast, and I offered her a small smile. "Thank you, Maria."

"You're welcome, miss."

At least Maria acknowledged my existence I picked up my fork and began eating quietly. "So Dad, are we still going to the golf club this weekend?" Liam asked.

My father finally looked up. "Of course I've already spoken to the manager. You can invite your friends."

Liam grinned. "Thanks dad!"

"Just make sure you don't embarrass the family"

"I won't"

I continued eating, waiting for an opportunity to join the conversation I had something important to share with them. Something I had been excited about since yesterday. "Dad?"

He didn't look at me. "What?"

"I wanted to tell you something"

"Can't it wait?"

I hesitated before answering. "It's about the internship I applied for they reviewed my application, and I"

"An internship?" James interrupted with a laugh.

I turned towards him "Yes"

He leaned back in his chair, looking amused. "Why would you need an internship when you're already living comfortably? Most people would be grateful to have the life you have."

I tightened my grip on my fork "I want to gain experience and build a career of my own."

"Something of your own?" He chuckled "You make it sound as though you're struggling."

"James, leave her alone," Myra said, although she sounded more amused than concerned.

I looked at her, hoping she would say something else she didn't. My father placed his tablet on the table "If you have time to worry about internships, perhaps you should find something more useful to do around here"

I stared at him "I thought you would be happy that I was trying to build a career"

"Don't tell me what I should be happy about"

His response was immediate I lowered my eyes "Okay dad"

That was the end of it It was always the same. Whenever I tried to share something about myself, someone found a way to make me regret opening my mouth. I finished my breakfast without saying another word after breakfast, I returned to my bedroom and closed the door behind me. My room was beautiful, with expensive furniture, a large television, a walk-in closet and a balcony overlooking the mansion's garden anyone who saw it would probably think I was living a dream But money had never been the problem I walked towards my dressing table and picked up my phone. There was already a message from Kianna Brooks, my closest friend.

Kianna: Good morning, beautiful. Are you alive?

I smiled for the first time that morning.

Me: Barely just survived another family breakfast.

My phone rang almost immediately I answered "Hello?"

"Girl, when are you going to stop allowing those people to ruin your mornings?" Kianna asked

I laughed softly. "Good morning to you too"

"I'm serious, Monica. What happened this time?"

"Nothing new. James being James, dad being dad, and mom pretending I don't exist."

"Unbelievable"

I sat on the edge of my bed "Don't start, Kianna"

"Why shouldn't I? You keep making excuses for people who don't even try to treat you properly."

I remained silent "Monica?"

"I'm listening"

"You need to stop seeking approval from people who have made it clear they don't appreciate you"

I looked down at my fingers "I know"

"No, you don't because if you did, you would have packed your bags and left that mansion a long time ago."

I sighed "Where would I go?"

"You have a friend remember me?"

I smiled "Kianna, I can't just leave."

"Why not?"

I didn't have an answer the truth was that I still hoped things would change. I wanted my parents to look at me and see their daughter instead of someone they regretted having I wanted my father to be proud of me. I wanted my mother to hug me without making it feel like an obligation most importantly, I wanted to belong. "I don't know," I whispered.

Kianna sighed "Listen to me you don't have to keep proving that you're worthy of being loved you're already enough."

My eyes began to sting "Thank you."

"Now stop sounding like you're about to cry come over this weekend. We need to go shopping."

"I'll see what I can do"

"That's not an answer"

I laughed "Fine I'll come"

"Good love you"

"Love you too"

When the call ended, I placed my phone beside me Kianna was right about many things, but leaving my family wasn't as easy as she made it sound no matter how badly they treated me, a small part of me still wanted them to love me. Later that afternoon, I went downstairs and found my mother and Myra in the living room they were discussing dresses for an upcoming charity event "Mom, do you need help with anything?" I asked

She glanced at me "No Myra and I have everything under control."

I nodded "Okay I was just wondering if I could attend the charity event with you."

My mother looked surprised "Why?"

I frowned slightly "Because it's a family event?"

She sighed and returned her attention to the dresses "Monica, I don't think that's a good idea."

"Why?"

"Your father has enough things to worry about. We don't need unnecessary attention."

I stared at her I knew exactly what she meant the scandal. Several months earlier, confidential documents connected to Hayes Group had been leaked. The incident had damaged the company's reputation and affected some of my father's business relationships nobody knew exactly who had leaked the information, but somehow, I had become the person my family suspected. I had repeatedly denied having anything to do with it nobody believed me. "But I haven't done anything wrong," I said quietly.

My mother picked up another dress "Then you should have nothing to worry about. Just stay out of situations that could make things worse."

"You're still blaming me?"

She turned towards me "I'm not blaming you, Monica. I'm simply telling you to be sensible."

Before I could respond, James entered the living room. "What's happening?"

"Nothing," my mother answered.

He looked at me and smirked. "Still trying to convince everyone you're innocent?"

I folded my arms. "I don't have to convince anyone I know what I did and didn't do"

"Well, that's convenient."

"James stop," Myra interrupted.

He raised his hands. "What? I'm only asking questions."

Myra turned towards our mother. "Can we please stop arguing? Mom, I think this dress would look better with the silver necklace."

My mother's expression immediately softened. "You're right, sweetheart."

I watched them for a moment before turning away It was always like that. Myra only needed a few words to receive the attention I had spent years trying to earn. That evening, my father returned home earlier than usual I was sitting in the living room, reading a book when he walked in "Good evening, dad"

He barely glanced at me "Where is your mother?"

"Upstairs, I think."

He nodded and continued towards the staircase "Dad?"

He stopped. "Yes?"

I stood up. "I wanted to ask if you could look at my internship application. I think it would be good for me to start gaining some experience."

He looked at me impatiently. "Monica, I have more important things to deal with."

"I understand It won't take long."

"Then ask someone else"

My shoulders dropped "Okay"

He turned away, but his phone rang before he could climb the stairs "Yes, I've seen the reports," he said, answering the call. "I don't want this matter discussed outside the company do you understand?"

He paused. "Good I won't allow anyone to damage the Hayes name."

I looked away the Hayes name. That was what mattered most to him not whether his daughter was happy. Not whether she was hurting not even whether she was innocent only the family name. When he disappeared upstairs, I returned to my seat I picked up my phone and opened the gallery. An old photograph appeared on the screen It showed me standing between my parents when I was much younger I remembered that day clearly I had won an award at school and begged my parents to take a photograph with me. My father had been too busy to attend the ceremony, but my mother eventually agreed to take the picture It was one of the few photographs I had of all three of us together I ran my thumb over the screen "Maybe one day," I whispered

Maybe one day, my father would look at me and see something worth being proud of maybe my mother would stop treating me like an inconvenience maybe my siblings would finally see me as family. I placed my phone on the table and returned to my book a few minutes later, a notification appeared on my screen. I picked up my phone, expecting another message from Kianna. Instead, I saw an email from an unknown sender.

Subject: Hayes Group - Confidential Information.

My eyebrows furrowed I opened it there was no greeting, no explanation and no signature. Just one sentence you should be careful about what your family is hiding, Monica Hayes I read it twice then I noticed the attachment beneath the message. My heart began beating faster It was a document bearing the official Hayes Group logo and someone had just sent it to me anonymously.