nore

with thinly veiled disapproval. "Another one of these domestic incidents, huh?" one whispered to another as they cleaned my wound. I couldn't bring myself to expl

hat, and I know you didn't mean to... well, you know. Mom and Dad are so worried about your head. They said to send you this. See? I'm fine. Just a little bump. Nothing compared to what you endured!" The camera panned slightly to reveal my parents a

ing to New York instead of you. You're just too sensitive for all that pressure, Elea

ful to be spared. They didn't even acknowledge my pain, only Josie'

in my room, the silence a strange comfort after years of emotional warfare. I didn' t come ou

t of my room, drawn by the unusual commotion. The grand ballroom, usually reserved for formal galas, was abla

eanore! Darling! Come down! We're celebrating Josie's birthday! It's s

autifully wrapped gifts on a table. One, small and elegant, clearly for Josie. The other, surprisingly, was also

iss Eleanore. Always getting the short end of the

elf, a bitter affirmation, "I am the intended bride. I am the one meant to

tat, followed her every move. I watched from the shadows, an invisible guest at my own family' s celebration of my replacement. No one noticed me. No

her with a trust fund, a substantial portion of the Spence family wealth. My father, beaming, handed

icent diamond and ruby necklace, a Spence family heirloom, once promised to me. "For my dearest

.?" "The Spence family seems to truly adore her.

I felt a strange sense of clarity. They weren't just giving her things; they