Across the street, they lived happily in their new home. A house filled with warmth, laughter, and Loren’s delicate touch. I was nothing but a shadow.
I finally confronted them, unable to hold in the rage.
But Arthur Slater, my husband, looked at me as if I were dirt beneath his shoes.
“You’ve been her substitute your whole life. Haven’t you figured out your place yet?”
Even our son, Abraham, chimed in coldly.
“I don’t want you to be my mom. Aunt Loren is better. Dad doesn’t love you—why are you still living here?”
My parents begged me to back down, as always.
“Can’t you let your sister have her way? Must you see her die to be satisfied?”
That day, I made a decision—I would leave everything behind.
But not before Loren cornered me with a smirk:
“You’ll never be better than me—before or now. If you hadn't shown up back then, I would’ve been the one with Arthur. Abraham would’ve been my child. Everything you’ve lost…you brought on yourself.”
She didn’t know I’d already accepted a high-paying offer from a wealthy family.
I was about to become the daughter-in-law of their comatose son.
……
“I’ve made my decision,” I told my best friend over the phone, my voice calm.