Chapter 8
“Excellent. Due to the classified location and nature of this program, we’ll send transport the day after tomorrow. Please arrive at JFK Terminal 4, Gate 12 at 8 AM sharp. A military aircraft will be waiting for departure.”
“Roger that.”
I hung up and felt something inside my chest finally unclench.
Two more days. Then I’d be leaving New York, my toxic family, and Luigi behind forever.
After that, I’d be thousands of miles away where none of them could hurt me anymore.
With my escape so close, I needed to start packing for real.
Mom walked past my room and saw me organizing my stuff. Her face immediately soured.
‘Aurelia, we already told you only Rosalia is coming to Bali tomorrow. Stop trying to guilt-trip us.”
I’m not trying to come with you.” I pulled up the military acceptance message on my phone, ready to finally tell someone my news. “Mom, my SAT scores came out today. I got accepted to—”
Before I could finish, Rosalia practically skipped over with her fake-sweet voice, cutting me off.
Oh no, Aurelia! Did you totally bomb the SATs? Are your scores too awful for college? Are you going to have to flip burgers instead?”
What?” Mom’s face went white with horror as she stared at me. “Aurelia, please tell me your sister’s wrong.”
Dad stormed over from the living room, looking like he wanted to murder someone.
Your sister scored 1300-she can get into any school she wants in New York or Boston. What the hell did you manage?”
taring at their disgusted, disappointed faces, I felt every word die in my throat. The urge to share my incredible news just… vanished.
nstead, eighteen years of stored-up pain came exploding out of me.
I haven’t even told you my scores yet, and you’re already convinced I’m a failure! Is that really how little you think of me?”
My voice was getting louder, more desperate. “When I got valedictorian, you said I cheated. When I studied until 3 AM every night, you said I was
eing dramatic for attention.”
But when Rosalia scrapes into the top 100 one time, you act like she’s Einstein! When she’s doing homework at 9 PM, you feel sorry for how ‘hard’ he’s working!”
We’re both your daughters! How can you be this fucking biased?!”
The silence that followed was deafening. Mom’s mouth opened and closed like a fish.
Dad’s face went purple with rage. “How DARE you speak to us like that!”
‘We’ve always treated you girls exactly the same! When has Rosalia ever caused drama like you do? You’re nothing but problems, and now you’re disrespecting your own parents!”
He wasn’t finished destroying me, “If you think we’re so unfair, then get the fuck out! You’re eighteen-we don’t owe you anything, you ungrateful
little bitch!”
“Can’t get into college? Figure out how to survive on your own!”
Mom seemed shocked by how vicious he was being and pulled him toward the door.
But she still had to twist the knife one last time: “Aurelia, you’re my flesh and blood. Of course I love you. But God, you’ve been such a disappointment.”
Chapter 8
All three of them left, and I was alone with the wreckage of my family.
1 bit down on my tongue until I tasted blood, desperate not to give them the satisfaction of hearing me cry. After locking my door, I collapsed on my
bed.
The family photo on my nightstand felt like it was mocking me. Five-year-old me standing awkwardly to the side while my parents cradled precious Rosalia between them.
Same DNA, same house, but the favoritism was obvious even in a fucking photograph.
It took me eighteen years to stop making excuses for them.
I ripped the frame apart and tore my tiny self out of the picture, holding the fragment like it was something precious.
‘Aurelia,” I whispered to that scared little girl, “you’re going to be okay. You’re going to be strong and proud and never let anyone treat you like garbage again.”
The tears came anyway-huge, ugly sobs that felt like they were ripping me apart from the inside.
cried until my chest ached, until there was nothing left.
would heal my own childhood.
would conquer my own future.
ll the suppressed emotions poured out as I cried until I had no voice left.
My phone rang, and Luigi’s name flashed on the screen.
Aurelia! SAT results are out-how’d you do? I got recruited by Boston University! Did they call you too?”
lis voice was buzzing with excitement, but I felt completely empty.
I got a call.”
ast not from the school he thought.
uigi whooped with joy. “That’s fucking awesome! We can stay together for four more years. There’s this fireworks show tomorrow night by the arbor-want to celebrate?”
stared at the ceiling for a long moment. “Sure.”
d already burned bridges with my family. Time to finish things with Luigi too.
ly childhood, my teenage years, this entire toxic chapter of my life-it all needed to end before I could start over.
