My Mom Threw My Acceptance Letter Away For My Stepsister Chapter 04
Three days before school started, Mom called me downstairs. Said we needed to talk.
I walked into the living room to find the whole unit waiting. Mom, Robert, Ethan, Sophie. And Gavin.
Mom cleared her throat. “Classes start soon. You’re both staying in state, but college means you’re adults now.”
She produced two debit cards.
“I’ve set aside money for your four years of college. A hundred thousand each.”
Then she glanced at me. “Natalie, say thank you to Robert. I was only going to give you ten thousand. He’s the one who insisted we treat you both the same.”
I looked up, flat. “Thanks.”
She waited. The silence stretched.
I realized she wanted more.
“Thank you,” I repeated.
Everyone nodded, satisfied. Then both cards went to Sophie.
I stared.
Ethan jumped in to explain. “You’ve always been careless with money. Sophie’s much better at planning.”
“So for the next four years, if you need funds, you submit a request to Sophie. She approves it.”
I looked around the room, my voice hollow.
“Excuse me?”
Submit a request to Sophie?
Gavin piled on. “Natalie, it’s for your own good. Margaret’s trying to break your bad habits.”
My spine locked. Humiliation and disbelief flooded through me.
Bad habits?
What bad habits? Spending too much?
They’d all forgotten. The day Sophie walked into the Whitman house, my allowance vanished.
I took the bus everywhere because I couldn’t afford a ride.
The card my father left me? Mom gave it to Sophie ten years ago. A welcome gift.
I was penniless. What exactly was I supposed to be spending?
Sophie tucked both cards into her purse and glided over.
“Don’t worry, Nat. I won’t be stingy with your money. And I’ll help fix all those nasty habits of yours.”
With her back to the others, she dropped her smile.
Her lips shaped silent words. You lose again.
My hands trembled at my sides. My chest compressed until I could barely breathe.
But I knew. Fighting was pointless. They’d never choose me.
My clenched fists loosened.
It was fine. Westbrook had promised me a full-ride scholarship. At least I wouldn’t starve.
Mom and Ethan relaxed. Their gazes toward me softened.
Mom stepped forward and smoothed my hair.
“That’s my good girl. You’re the older sister. Take care of Sophie at school, understand?”
“She has asthma, and she’s a total scatterbrain. You’ll be carrying her emergency inhaler.”
I listened in silence. And I understood.
They’d hand-picked me to be Sophie’s unpaid servant for the next four years.
I nodded.
“Okay, Mom.”
…
Three days passed in a blur.
September first. They took Sophie ahead, throwing me a frown before they left.
“Get here quick. We’re walking around first.”
“Don’t forget her inhaler.”
I made a noise of agreement.
Face blank, I watched their car pull away.
Then I grabbed my suitcase, turned without hesitation, and headed to the airport.
This time, I’d fought for myself.
This time, I was heading into open sky.