The Forgotten Twin My Parents Sold Everything for Her, Not Me

Alcohol has a way of loosening tongues, and at my older sister's wedding, my Second Uncle was no exception.

"Your sister is lucky to be where she is today," he slurred, swirling his glass. "She really ought to thank your mom and dad. They scraped the bottom of the barrel—sold everything they owned—just to send her abroad for that master's degree."

He hiccuped, leaning in closer. "Otherwise, how would she have ever snagged such a rich husband?"

I laughed it off, assuming it was just the liquor talking.

"Second Uncle, you've had too much," I said. "Lily went on a full scholarship. Our family didn't spend a dime."

He poured himself another brimful glass, a sloppy sneer spreading across his face.

"Full scholarship? Don't make me laugh. Her junior year, she failed a course and almost didn't graduate!" He took a swig. "Your parents sold the farmland and the house back home. Even borrowed ten thousand from me. That's the only reason she made it overseas."

The champagne glass in my hand turned to lead. Cold dread pooled in my stomach.

The timeline clicked into place with sickening precision.

The year Lily went abroad was the same year I failed my graduate entrance exam. I had begged my parents for just $1,500—a prep course so I could retake it.

They refused. Claimed they were broke. Couldn't squeeze out a penny.

Turns out they weren't broke. They'd funneled every last cent to my sister.

I couldn't breathe. Without a word, I walked out of the banquet hall.

I'd barely stepped inside my rental when my phone buzzed. My mother's voice came through, shrill and accusing.

"Why did you leave without saying goodbye? You're a grown woman with absolutely no manners! Both of you are my daughters—so why is one a phoenix soaring through the sky while the other is just dirt?"

I gripped the phone. My voice came out deadly calm.

"Since that's how you feel, you can pretend you only have one daughter from now on."

——

The receiver exploded.

"Are you crazy? I criticize you once and you want to disown us?" Her words came rapid-fire. "You think because you have a job now, your wings are strong enough? You think you don't have to listen to me anymore?"

In the background, relatives murmured, trying to smooth things over.

"Forget it, let it go. The child's grown up—don't say such ugly things. Savannah's a good kid; we all know that."

But my mother wouldn't stop. She never did. Not until she'd verbally ripped me to shreds.

"Today is your sister's big day! Everyone's happy—who are you putting on this show for? Or did we offend Your Highness somehow?"

Her tone was lofty, overbearing. Same as always.

I waited for a gap in her tirade. When I spoke, my voice trembled despite my efforts.

"When Lily went abroad, you paid for it. Sold everything to support her. Why did you lie to me? Why did you say you didn't spend a dime?"

Dead silence.

When my mother's voice returned, it was cold as ice.

"So that's what this is about. You were waiting to throw this in my face." She scoffed. "Yes, we paid for your sister's schooling. So what? It's our money. We give it to whoever we want. Since when do you get a vote?"

Rage surged through me. My hand shook.

"For her schooling, you sold the house and the land without hesitation," I choked out. "But when I begged to borrow fifteen hundred dollars—when I offered to write you an IOU—you refused. Said it was impossible."

"We're both your daughters." Tears stung my eyes. "How can you be this biased?"

My vision blurred. It wasn't just the money.

Lily's future matters, but my life is worthless?

What hurt most was the betrayal of Grandma's wishes. Before she passed, she'd said the house would go to Lily, but the land was meant for me. They'd sold my inheritance without a second thought to fund Lily's life.

The phone was snatched away. My father's voice boomed through like thunder.

"Savannah Cox! You dare talk to your elders like this? Did all that education rot your brain?"

"We spent money on your sister because she's been obedient since she was a child! We did it willingly!" He was roaring now. "And look at you—not even married, and you're already calculating your parents' assets? Ungrateful wretch!"

He didn't let me respond.

"I'm telling you now: it's our money. We give it to whoever we please. You, Savannah Cox, don't get a say. Not one bit!"