I'm Anna and I grew up in the shadow of my older sister Kelly in our house she was the star our home was always full of people Aunts Uncles cousins you name it they'd show up in our backyard like ants drawn to a picnic eager for my mom's famous barbecue and to watch Kelly perform our backyard felt like a stage with a neatly trimmed lawn and a big oak tree that made the perfect backdrop dad would light the grill and the smell of charcoal and sizzling meat would fill the air mom was always rushing around
making sure everyone had a drink in their hand Kelly sweee Aunt Cheryl would call out over the noise why don't you sing us a songs and just like that all eyes turned to Kelly she would jump onto a chair her golden curls bouncing and a playful Sparkle in her eyes she'd clear her throat dramatically and then she'd start singing she loved doing her best Seline Dion impression With My Heart Will Go On and the adult went wild clapping and cheering like it was a real concert mom and dad would smile proudly with dad even wiping
away a tear now and then meanwhile I would be off to the side trying to disappear among the bushes it wasn't that I didn't want to join in but whenever I tried to sing it sounded like a cat in distress and poetry forget it the words would get stuck and I'd end up stammering and turning bright red I'd often hear my relatives Whispering about how different I was from my sister it wasn't just the relatives who made it clear mom and dad knew who the family star was while Kelly was busy with dance classes singing
lessons and art workshops I was left to my own devices I didn't mind much though I found comfort in the old dusty books on our shelves the only person who seemed to understand me was great aunt Teresa she'd find me hiding behind the garage or up in the treehouse with my nose deep in a book what Adventure are you on today Anna she'd ask sitting down beside me I'd look up grateful for the break oh just reading about ancient Egypt I'd say showing her the cover of my latest book Teresa would nod her eyes full
of kindness you've got a good head on your shoulders girl don't let anyone tell you different those moments with Teresa were a comfort to my heart she didn't expect me to perform or be anyone other than myself with her I could just be Anna the quiet girl who liked books more than the noise of family gatherings but no matter how much I loved those moments they didn't take away the hurt of being the Forgotten child every time Kelly learned a new song or won another award my parents would praise her and shower her with gifts
new clothes the latest gadgets you name it and me I got hand-me-downs and long size of disappointment School became my Escape I wasn't the most popular kid but I found my place in the classroom I wasn't happy just sitting back and listening I needed to understand everything Mrs David I'd ask after class my voice calm but sure could you go over that part about mitosis again I didn't quite get it she'd smile clearly happy that I cared of course Anna let's go over it together if a teacher didn't have time I'd ask for book recommendations
soon my backpack was stuffed with extra reading material I stayed up late pouring over those books determined to get every subject right all that effort paid off by the time I got to high school I was the top student in my class for once I was the best at something I even made a few friends other quiet Book Lovers who didn't mind my calm ways as graduation got closer our house became Kelly Central mom spent all her time helping her with her portfolio for a fancy colleges advertising and PP program oh honey this can't campaign
idea is perfect mom would say looking over Kelly's work you're so talented I'd roll my eyes and go back to my room burying myself in my studies but one night during yet another family dinner all about Kelly's College plans I couldn't hold back anymore I'm going to college too I blurred it out I want to study management the silence was heavy and then to my shock they all burst into laughter oh sweet mom said wiping tears from her eyes we don't have money for that you'll need to get a job after graduation you're just not
as gifted as your sister it felt like a slap to the face but I'm the top student in my class I said my voice shaking I stammered my face burning with anger and embarrassment I get straight A I yelled storming up to my room I came back down with my report card and slammed it on the table they all leaned in to look their eyes widening in Surprise well I'll be damned dad muttered scratching his head when did this happen it's been happening for years I snapped not that any of you ever noticed mom looked
guilty her face flushed Anna we had no idea she began but Dad Cut Her Off look it doesn't change anything we've spent all our savings on Kelly's education there's nothing left for you Anna I'm sorry but that's just the way it is you'll go work at my cousin Gary's restaurant after graduation I turned and ran ignoring their voices I sprinted up the stairs to my room and slammed the door so hard the walls shook I collapsed on my bed sobbing until I felt something inside me Harden fine I thought clenching my fists if they won't
help me I'll find another way I'll show them what I can do the next few months were a blur Kelly went off to college her departure filled with tearful goodbyes and proud hugs from our parents meanwhile I threw myself into my studies like never before determined to finish at the top of my class during that time I spent more and more afternoons at great aunt Teresa's cozy house it became my escape from the tension at home one sunny afternoon as we sat in her warm kitchen drinking tea she asked the question I had been dreading
so Anna she said gently her kind eyes fixed on me what are your plans after graduation I stared into my teacup trying to hold back the tears I I don't know Aunt Teresa I said Mom and Dad won't help me with college they say there's no money left after paying for Kelly's education Teresa was quiet for a moment then she reached across the table and squeezed my hand Anna dear I have some savings I'd like to use them for your College you're smart as a whip and I won't let that brain of yours go to
waste her words hit me like a wave and I burst into tears I was overwhelmed by her kindness and the sudden hope that my dreams weren't lost after all thank you I sobbed throwing my arms around her thank you so much ant Teresa the months flew by and before I knew it I was walking across the stage at graduation with my diploma in hand as I looked out at the crowd I saw aunt Teresa smiling proudly my parents were there too but they looked more Awkward than proud that evening as I was going through college
brochures mom came into my room Anna honey she said her voice sugary sweet your father's cousin Gary called heun's got a waitressing job for you at his restaurant isn't that exciting I took a deep breath actually mom I won't be needing that job I'm going to college dad appeared in the doorway frowning and how exactly do you plan to pay for that Aunt Teresa is helping me I said holding my head high she's giving me her savings for tuition the silence that followed was almost funny then to my surprise Dad's face turned red with anger
absolutely not he shouted if Teresa has money to spare it should go to Kelly she needs a car for her job in advertising after she graduates next year I couldn't believe what I was hearing are you serious I snapped this is my chance to get an education and make something of myself don't be selfish Anna mom added your sister needs that money more than you do no I said my voice shaking but steady this is my money now and I'm using it for college end of discussion from that moment home life became unbearable my parents
either ignored me completely or snapped at me over the smallest things the tension was crushing after a terrible argument one night I called Aunt Teresa crying and told her everything pack your bags sweetheart she said without hesitation you're moving in with me the next day I packed everything I owned into a cab and drove away watching my childhood home shrink in the rear view mirror as I arrived at Aunt Teresa's house I felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders the summer flew by as I prepared for college and before I knew it I was
stepping onto the campus of State University thanks to my high grades and Aunt Teresa's kindness I got into the management program I had always dreamed of on the first day of classes I felt like I was floating as I sat in my introduction to business lecture soaking in every word I couldn't help but think I made it I'm really here meanwhile Kelly was starting her senior year at her fancy College I hadn't heard much from her or my parents since I moved out but I tried not to let it bother me I was too busy
enjoying my new freedom and the thrill of college life then about a month into the semester a Teresa called Anna dear she said sounding hesitant I think you should sit down for this my heart pounded as she told me the news I'd missed apparently Kelly had come home out of nowhere and announced she had dropped out of college the reason she was pregnant according to aun Teresa Kelly had acted like it was no big deal saying oh don't worry Kelly had just tossed her hair and said don't worry the baby's father is Rich we'll be
getting married soon but things didn't turn out that way it turned out Kell's boyfriend wasn't as loyal as she believed and when he found out she'd been with his friend too everything blew up now nobody was sure who the real father was Aunt Teresa sighed as she told me the story I sat there with the phone to my ear trying to take it all in a small part of me felt a twisted satisfaction The Golden Child had finally Fallen but mostly I just felt sad for Kelly and the mess she was in the drama went
on for months Aunt Teresa kept me in the loop with all the family gossip from gatherings I no longer attended when Kelly's baby was born a DNA test confirmed that her boyfriend was indeed the father but instead of the dream wedding Kelly had imagined he only agreed to pay child support the final blow came when Kelly desperate for money ended up working as a waitress at Uncle Gary's restaurant the same job my parents had tried to push on me after I hung up the phone my emotions were all over the place a small Petty part
of me wanted to gloat and show off my success to my family but mostly I felt deeply grateful for how far I'd come the next few years flew by in a whirlwind of classes exams and late nights study sessions before I knew it I was walking across the stage at graduation holding my hard-earned management degree as I looked out at the crowd I saw Aunt Teresa smiling proudly tears of joy in her eyes because of my top grades and great recommendations for my professors I landed a manager position at the Gilded Fork one of the
top restaurants in the city the salary was more than I had ever dreamed of and for the first time in my life I felt truly accomplished when I got my first paycheck I knew exactly what I wanted to do I went straight to the electronic store and bought the latest smartphone for Aunt Teresa her eyes lit up when I handed it to her oh Anna she gasped turning the Sleek phone over in her hands this is too much I just smiled pulling out my own phone not at all now let me show you how to
use it over the next few weeks I taught Aunt Teresa everything about social media she picked it up quickly especially enjoying YouTube's video feature soon her page was full of videos her garden her cat and her famous apple pie in all its stages of preparation I'd watch Ant Teresa's videos during my lunch breaks always leaving a comment or a like it became our way of staying connected even when work kept me busy one day as I was getting ready for the dinner rush my phone bust I glanced at it and was surprised to see my
mother's name we hadn't spoken in years Anna she said her voice hesitant we were hoping you might come over to talk after a long pause I agreed that Friday I found myself standing on the porch of my childhood home my hand hovering over the doorbell before I could press it the door swung open Anna my mother pulled me into a tight hug oh sweetie it's so good to see you inside I saw my Father Kelly and a toddler I assumed was my niece the atmosphere was tense but not as hostile as I'd feared you look
good kiddo dad said his voice Gruff but friendly we hear are doing well for yourself I nodded still a bit cautious I am I'm a manager at the Gilded Fork now their eyes widened when I mentioned the restaurant's name mom cleared her throat that's that's wonderful dear actually that's part of why we wanted to talk to you for the next hour they apologized for how they had treated me admitting they were wrong to dismiss my potential then they got to the real reason for the visit Anna mom said glancing at Kelly we were hoping well
we were wondering if you could help Kelly get a job at your restaurant I looked at my sister who was bouncing her daughter on her knee she wouldn't meet my eyes I'll see what I can do I said finally no promises but I'll ask true to my word I spoke to Mr Brandon the restaurant owner about Kelly to my surprise he agreed to give her a chance as an administrator Kelly started the following week I kept an eye on her half expecting her to mess up or cause problems but she surprised me she was punctual
efficient and the customers loved her friendly attitude as the weeks went by I found myself easing up around her we weren't best friends but we developed a respectful working relationship just when I thought everything was settled life threw another surprise my way this time a good one one day Mr Brandon called me into his office my heart pounded worried I might be in trouble but instead he smiled and said Anna how would you like to help me expand the business before I knew it I was stepping into a new chapter I was in charge of
opening not one but four new restaurants my days were packed with staff meetings menu tastings and crunching numbers it was exhausting exciting and everything I had ever wanted the promotion came with a big raise and suddenly I had more money than I knew what to do with that's when the calls from my parents began at first it was small things the roof is leaking mom would say hesitantly we were wondering if you might be able to help out a little it felt surprisingly good to say yes to fix their problems with a simple transfer of
money it started with the roof then a new water heater and soon enough I was paying for a complete home renovation as their financial situation ation improved thanks to the allowance I was sending them each month the family gatherings returned but this time it was different have you heard about Anna's latest project mom would proudly tell the relatives she's opening a new restaurant downtown we're so proud of her I'd catch Kelly's eye across the room and she gave me a small smile she was doing well two having been promoted to head administrator at the Gilded
Fork My Girls dad would say putting an arm around each of us both of them making their old man proud part of me wanted to be bitter to remind them of how they treated me before but a bigger part of me just enjoyed their approval something I had wanted for so long as I drove home that night a feeling of contentment washed over me after all these years I finally had what I'd always wanted success in my career and the love and appreciation of my family I was The Golden Child now but more importantly I
was my own person standing on my own 3 feet it was a quiet Friday afternoon when everything came crashing down I was scrolling through YouTube sipping my coffee when I saw that Aunt Teresa had posted a new video it was from one of the family parties I'd missed because of work smiling I clicked play expecting to see the usual fun and laughter but instead what I saw made my blood run cold there clear as day were my parents their faces red from drink Ing and self-importance mom was waving her hands around her voice slurred but
unmistakable and Anna that ungrateful little freeloader she said she barely gives us anything we're not made of money you know Dad joined in his face flushed that's right we're doing just fine thanks to our Kelly she's the one keeping that fancy restaurant running Anna just rides on her coattails the video went on showing various relatives nodding in agreement some even throwing in their own complaints Kelly sat in the corner looking uncomfortable but she didn't speak up to defend me as the video ended I just sat there stunned I sat there stunned how could they do
this after everything I had done for them after all the money I had given them how could they say such terrible false things my hands were shaking as I scrolled down to the comments there I saw a series of messages from my parents Teresa delete this video right now you had no right to post this take it down immediately but aunt Teresa's reply brought me to tears I don't know how to delete videos she wrote and even if I did I wouldn't it's time everyone saw the truth about how you treat Anna she's the one
supporting you and this is how you repay her kindness shame on you both I sat there for what felt like hours watching the video over and over reading the the comments again and again the Betrayal cut deep reopening Old Wounds I thought had healed finally I picked up my phone and called Aunt Teresa oh Anna dear she said as she answered her voice full of sympathy I guess you've seen the video yeah I choked out my voice raw from crying I can't believe it Aunt Teresa how could they I could hear the anger in her
voice they've always been like this Anna you just word around to see it I'm so sorry you had to find out this way but maybe it's for the best you deserve to know the truth we talked for hours with Aunt Teresa comforting me as I moved through shock anger and sadness as night fell I made a decision I'm cutting them off I said my voice steady despite the pain no more money no more help they made their choices now they can deal with the consequences the days after the video were some of the hardest in
my life my phone buzzed constantly with calls and texts from my parents but I couldn't bring myself to answer they're cruel false words kept playing in my head after a week of Silence I finally sent them a brief text I've seen the video I know how you really feel don't contact me again the money stops now their replies came flooding in right away at first they were apologetic Anna sweetie we so sorry we didn't mean any of it please forgive us but as I kept my silence their tone changed were your parents you owe us
each message felt like another stab but I stayed strong I had given them chance after chance and they had only hurt me it was time to end the cycle surprisingly Kelly stayed out of it at work she continued to be the perfect employee efficient and professional if she was upset about losing our parents financial support she didn't show it our interactions remained polite but distant I'm not taking sides Kelly told me one day after a staff meeting it's between you and them I nodded appreciating that she was staying neutral even though part of me wished
she would stand up for me but I understood she had her own child to worry about now as weeks turned into months I found myself relying heavily on Aunt Teresa our Friday video calls became the highlight of my week she would tell me stories about her Garden or her latest baking Adventures giving me a much needed break from the chaos my life had become you're doing the right thing Anna she'd say whenever I started to doubt myself don't let them manipulate you anymore to my surprise other relatives started reaching out too my cousin Cynthia who
had always been kind to me at family gatherings sent a heartfelt email I saw the video she wrote I want you to know I think you're amazing Anna what you've achieved how you've helped everyone you're an inspiration don't let anyone tell you otherwise Uncle Frank dad's brother called me out of the blue kid I've watched you grow up into an incredible woman your parents are fools if they can't see how special you are you've got family in your corner remember that these words of support felt like healing for my Wounded Heart I realized that while
I might have lost my parents I had gained a family who valued me for who I truly was as the year came to an end Mr Brandon called me into his office I went in nervous worried that the family drama might have affected my work but instead he greeted me with a big smile Anna I'm retiring next year he said I want you to take over as CEO of the restaurant group I stood there stunned unable to speak finally I managed to stammer are you sure he nodded his eyes shining I've never been more sure
of anything you've earned this Anna you're the reason this business has flourished it's time you took the Reigns as I left his office my mind spinning with excitement I realized something important the little girl who had once been ignored and underestimated had grown into a woman who exceeded everyone's expectations including her own
