Chapter 4

I snapped, "You're always talking about the past. Don't think I forgot my childhood. In those years, how many times did you actually have dinner with me?

"How many times did you really take me out? Every day when I got home, it was just some random lady cooking. Whenever something upset me, there was no one I could talk to.

"When I was scared, I couldn't even reach you on the phone. Did you even know I spent so many nights lying awake? Is that what you call being there for me?"

As soon as the past got brought up, my parents instantly teamed up against me.

My dad pointed right at my face and yelled, "Why do you think we bust our asses out there? It's all for you and your sister, for this whole family!

"Do you even care? You couldn't fall asleep? Big deal. If we couldn't even afford to eat, now that would be real misery!"

My mom backed him up, "Your dad's right. We were never home, working ourselves to the bone, all for you girls."

What started as a quiet night exploded the second we started digging up old memories.

I smirked sarcastically. "Dad, Mom, don't flatter yourselves.

"Once you started making money, did you ever hold back on yourselves? The moment you got paid, you went straight for a new ride, an Audi, and a Rolex on your wrist.

"And Mom, could you even count how many designer bags you had stashed in your room back then? You had a year-long membership at the salon, spending like you were some ultra-VIP.

"If you really made all that money for us, shouldn't it have gone to the family, to me?

"But when I was falling behind in some subjects in middle school and wanted to sign up for a decent tutoring class, you just sneered and told me I wasn't cut out for school.

"You said I should quit and start working instead of wasting your money.

"And then what? You bought yourselves another luxury watch and a new car."

The more I spoke, the more emotional I got, my voice trembling and choked up.

Fancy stuff didn't mean squat to me. What really broke my heart was how they were never there for me.

And with what I said, I exposed their true colors.

My dad's face flushed with shame and anger.

He grabbed the cake box off the coffee table and hurled it at me.

"Get out! I don't have a daughter as ungrateful as you!" he shouted at me.

My mom and grandma just stood there, totally stunned.

I'd always been the quiet, reserved type. I never complained or shed a tear.

They were used to me being like that.

Out of nowhere, I exploded today, and nobody saw it coming.

It was like a dam had burst, and all the pent-up feelings came rushing out.

Years of being frozen out didn't just happen overnight.

I was done being treated like a ghost in this family.

Since the fight had already blown up and my dad was calling me ungrateful, why not go all in and give him a piece of my mind?

I said, "Dad, where's this coming from? Just because I'm speaking facts, suddenly I'm the ungrateful one? Didn't Sandra kick up a fuss, yell at you, and throw tantrums every time she wanted something?

"And what about when your business crashed a couple of years ago? My husband and I covered your debts. You swore you'd pay us back, but it's been two years, and I haven't seen a penny.

"Did I ever bug you about it? And you call me ungrateful?

"Since I started earning, how many times have I taken the whole family on trips? Glamo, Shienus, Blita... Every single time, I footed the bill. And this anniversary as well. Did Sandra put in even a dime? So who's really the ungrateful one here?

"I've done all this for the family. Maybe I don't deserve a medal, but I sure as hell worked my butt off. It's fine that you don't praise me, but how do I end up being called ungrateful?"

When I brought up the money Dad owed me, he knew he was in the wrong. He went red in the face, jaw clenched, and just slumped in his chair, not saying a single word.

As the argument spiraled out of control, my grandma, the one who always insisted on family unity, finally broke down.

She burst into tears. "What's going on here? It's just a piece of cake. Shirley, you're breaking our hearts with those words."

My grandma had high blood pressure, and when she got emotional, things could get serious fast.

My mom and dad rushed to steady her and get her seated.

"Mom, don't get so worked up. Take care of yourself," Dad said.

My mom shot me a death glare.

"Get over here and apologize to your grandma. You've totally lost it tonight!" she snapped.

Grandma's tears just wouldn't stop and kept streaming down her cheeks.

I knew she was trying to silence me with her tears.

I couldn't help but let out a helpless smile.

"Apologize? What did I do wrong?" I asked.

I picked up my bag, opened the door, and got ready to leave.

"If you want to comfort Grandma, go find Sandra. To her, I'm invisible. She's only ever had one granddaughter, and it's never been me," I said.