Chapter 2

Right then, a sharp, twisting pain hit my stomach. I needed to lie down in my room for a minute.

As I turned to go inside, my eyes accidentally flicked to the wall.

There was this empty spot staring back at me—bright and painful.

My chest tightened.

A photo was supposed to be there.

It was me with Mom and Dad at our kindergarten field day.

Back before Scarlett was born, their eyes were only on me.

That photo was my last real connection to this family—my most precious memory.

I hurried back into the living room, voice tight with urgency.

"Mom, Dad—where's the photo that was on my bedroom wall? Did you move it?"

Mom was watching TV and shrugged casually, like it was no big deal.

"Oh that old thing? We gave it to Scarlett. She needed a family picture for a school project, so she took it."

I spun around to Scarlett: "Where is it?"

She didn't even look up, tone totally dismissive.

"I threw it out after I finished the project. Duh. It's just some stupid old photo, right? Why are you yelling at me?"

"That was *mine*! How could you just throw it away? Do you have any clue how much that meant to me?"

Years of built-up hurt and anger exploded in that moment—I couldn't stop myself from raising my voice.

Scarlett finally looked up at me, rolling her eyes like I was being ridiculous.

"I threw it out 'cause I didn't like looking at it. So what?"

Her total lack of care pushed me over the edge.

I stepped forward and shoved her hard.

Mom was there in a second, yanking me back and slapping me across the face.

My cheek burned instantly, head snapping to the side from the force.

"Hazel, are you out of your mind! How dare you push Scarlett! I should've known that nice act earlier was fake!"

Mom kept shoving me, backing me up until my back hit the wall with a thud.

"You selfish brat! Fighting over some dumb photo? You actually hit your sister!"

I tried to speak, but a sudden, crippling pain shot through my stomach—making me double over groaning.

Mom heard me but just crossed her arms and scoffed.

"Oh please, now you're faking it? I barely touched you and suddenly you're putting on a show?"

Scarlett got up from the couch, strolled over, and whined to Mom.

"Mom, Hazel's being so mean! You have to make her apologize!"

Mom's face softened right away, petting Scarlett's hair gently.

"There there, sweetie. You'll get whatever you want—she's being so disobedient."

Scarlett looked at me—my face was twisted in pain by then, cold sweat dripping down my forehead.

A little smirk crossed her face as she spoke slowly.

"Hazel works at that company with good benefits, right? Why doesn't she just give me her job? Then I can earn money to help take care of you guys."

She wanted to steal my job too?

That job was from four years of busting my butt in college and countless late nights at work.

That job was my only way out of this house—my chance at a real life!

Dad's eyes lit up when he heard that.

"Scarlett's so thoughtful, always thinking of us. Hazel's just selfish, running off right after graduation like she couldn't care less about her family."

Mom nodded along, "We'll go with you to help you get settled in, sweetie."

Then she turned to me, face hardening.

"Hazel, you heard her. Call your boss first thing and tell them Scarlett's taking over after the holidays."

I grabbed my stomach, shaking from the pain.

But my heart hurt even worse than my stomach.