The Daughter They Threw Away

"Serena, please! I won't join Dad's company. I'll give it up voluntarily." Vanessa's voice trembled, pitch-perfect in its distress. "Don't blame Dad. It's all my fault. I'll beg for your forgiveness!"

Before I could react, she dropped to her knees with a heavy thud.

Richard hauled her back up immediately, his grip protective.

"Nonsense! You earned that position. Why should you sacrifice your future for her tantrum?" He turned his glare on me. "Look how sensible Vanessa is. Then look at yourself. You don't understand family loyalty. How are your mother and I supposed to rely on you?"

"Rely on me?"

I let out a hollow laugh.

"Since Vanessa's so sensible, why do you need me? From now on, she can be your only daughter."

I slammed the door behind me.

My mother called my name. China shattered against a wall.

"Let her go!" Richard roared. "Let's see how long she survives without us!"

I stepped into the elevator and watched the doors seal shut.

My vision blurred. I blinked the tears back.

Outside, the hotel's LED screen blazed:

[Congratulations to the Whitmore Family's Daughter: Top Scorer & Newest Executive!]

The Whitmore family's daughter.

I stared at the words until a rushing waiter collided with me.

"Sorry! The guest in 606 needs another cake—the father wants it twice as grand."

Room 606. Vanessa's party.

"Why another one?" I asked.

"Family dispute ruined the first." He lowered his voice. "The father's restarting the celebration. Very proud. His daughter got into a Fortune 500 company."

I smiled bitterly.

I had ranked first in the provincial civil service exams. Secured a position at the IRS.

No one in my family had asked. No one cared.

I walked back to my apartment and spent the day in a daze.

That night, Vanessa updated her feed. A video: Richard, Margaret, and Vanessa surrounded by relatives, posing before a towering cake. Vanessa flashed a peace sign.

The caption: 【Thank you, Mom and Dad, for always being my shelter.】

I turned off my phone.

That weekend, I didn't go home. Instead, I drove to the University District.

I found myself at the bistro Leo Mason and I used to frequent. Three years of planning our lives over these scratched tables—house, children, retirement.

I never calculated that my father would block my interview to secure Vanessa's spot. Or that Leo would take the job Richard offered him.

A month later, Leo broke up with me. "Long-distance" was his excuse.

Now, sitting in a quiet corner, a familiar voice drifted from the booth across from me.

"I used to eat here in college. The fish is excellent."

"Used to?" A female voice purred. "Who did you come here with?"

He chuckled.

I froze.

"Leo?" The name slipped out.

He turned slowly. Our eyes locked.

Beside him, Vanessa stared at me, fork frozen mid-air.