My Brother Said I Was Family But He Never Gave Me a Home Chapter 02
He clearly didn’t catch what I really meant.
He hesitated, sounding reluctant.
“You know, Sophia’s been depressed for years, feeling like she’s living the life that should’ve been yours. Until she gets better, keeping some distance is the best way to protect both of you.”
“Once she starts college, I’ll have you move back in. I’ll help her adjust slowly. She’s old enough now, I think she’ll understand.”
I let out a quiet laugh. “No need. I meant my real home, my adopt—”
Before I could finish, Sophia’s sweet laugh came through the phone. “Christopher, does this outfit look good for my graduation party?”
His attention immediately shifted, his voice turning warm. “Beautiful. Don’t you think those heels are a little high? I don’t want you to trip.”
“That’s what you’re for. If I get tired, you can just carry me like when we were kids.”
Their laughter rang sharp in my ears.
By the time her voice faded, he realized I was still on the line.
“Sorry, I thought you’d hung up.”
“Oh, about your party. Do you want something small at home or should we invite some people?”
I didn’t have the energy to argue. “Don’t bother.”
He paused. “It’s not a bother. Mom and Dad always dreamed of seeing you graduate. Don’t you want them to see you too?”
My biological parents were consumed by guilt after losing me. They died in a car accident.
According to Christopher, they spent their final moments whispering my name, begging for me to come home.
Something in my chest softened. I spoke quietly. “Fine. You handle it.”
He sent me the date and time. Sophia’s party was at noon. Mine was that evening.
But when the evening came, I waited until ten thirty. No one showed.
I went from hopeful to nervous to calm and bitter.
The last time the server came to check on me, I said, “Never mind. Clear the table.”
I was about to leave when Christopher rushed in with a few relatives I didn’t recognize.
He looked guilty. “Sophia’s party ran long. Everyone else couldn’t make it, so I found a few people who wanted to meet you.”
“Keep them company for a bit, everyone will be here soon. Just wait a little longer.”
Then his phone rang.
“Christopher, where did you go?” Sophia’s voice was whiny.
He smiled indulgently. I couldn’t hear what he said because he had already turned his back to me.
The strangers across the table sat in awkward silence.
When I came back from the bathroom, I overheard them whispering.
“So ridiculous. I wanted to stay at the other party and grab some goodie bags. Instead they stuck me here with this sad excuse for a meal.”
Another voice snorted. “That’s what you get for mentioning Emily in front of Sophia last time.”
“Her brother is so protective. He cut off business with your family. No way he’d let you near her again.”
My heart sank.
So these were the people Sophia didn’t like, the ones her brother had shipped off here.
I remembered the large ballroom I’d passed earlier. The five tier vanilla cake with buttercream, the crystal stemware, the gold rimmed plates.
The personalized Yeti tumblers and gourmet chocolate boxes for every guest, nothing like the ordinary table in front of me.
If I were them, I wouldn’t want to be here either.
