The Unwanted Daughter
When I was five, Mom got pregnant with my sister, and she told me I’d never be lonely again. But after my sister was born, I was shipped off
to my grandma’s. Just like that, I became the unwanted child.
- 1.
Grandma passed away when I was thirteen. My parents, having no other choice, brought me back home. At the time, my little sister, Tiffany, who was five years younger than me, threw a
fit, screaming at me to get out. She said it was her house.
Mom looked awkward and told me, “Honey, Tiffany’s still little, and she doesn’t like
strangers in the house. Maybe you could stay
with your aunt for a while?” It wasn’t a request;
it was a done deal. Because Tiffany didn’t like
strangers, I ended up living with my aunt for the
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next ten years.
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When I was twenty–three, I moved back into the Miller home. Tiffany, now eighteen, wasn’t so hostile, and was willing to accept me. The day I returned, a couple of guys were carefully bringing a super expensive piano up the stairs. Mom was fussing all over them, like they were handling a Fabergé egg, making sure they didn’t scratch it.
“Now, Sarah, don’t try to compete with Tiffany,” Mom said, her tone sharp. “Tiffany’s always been more talented and mature than you. She got into that fancy music academy. This is her birthday gift. Don’t go thinking you deserve anything like that.” She scowled at me, noticing I was staring at the piano.
“I won’t, Mom, I was just looking,” I said, my voice calm.
Tiffany, wearing her earbuds, was glued to her phone on the couch. her fingers flving across
<
the screen. She glanced up at me and then
back down at her screen.
Hearing my answer, Mom seemed relieved. She
grabbed a glass of water. “Tiffany, honey, try
not to look at your phone so much, it’s not
good for your eyes. Drink some water. It’s dry in
here.” Mom was all tender and sweet as she
handed the water to Tiffany. Her whole face
was beaming with affection.
“Mom, you’re so annoying! Okay, okay!” Tiffany
took the water, gulping it down impatiently.
“Alright! Alright! I’ll stop bugging you. If you
need a drink just tell me.” Mom walked away,
smiling. That’s a smile I’d craved countless
—
times since I was six — a smile I’d never
received.
“Why are you standing there like a log? Go to
your room and stop bothering Tiffany,” Mom
snapped when she saw me still there. Her brow
9:53
<
Me, bothering her phone time? I didn’t say anything and turned toward my room.
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The Millers had moved into this three–story house a few months ago. The second floor had my parents‘ bedroom and a study. Tiffany had the whole third floor. There were three rooms
up there: a music room filled with instruments,
and a dance studio for her ballet.
My room? A tiny, converted utility room on the
first floor.
- 2.
That evening, Dad came home and presented
Tiffany with a Porsche key – another
eighteenth birthday gift. During dinner, Dad
boasted that even if they went bankrupt, people
would still want to do business with them
because of Tiffany. She was perfect, after all.
Apparently, a mystery benefactor, some mega-
rich dude, had given them this house and now a
>
Tiffany blushed, looking all innocent. She even
threw me into the mix. “I think Sarah’s the
talented one. She finished college early and got
a job, She’s making her own money. I’m still
spending Mom and Dad’s money!” She said this
like she was genuinely sorry.
I frowned, shooting her a look.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Sarah. Did I say something
wrong? Are you upset?” She tilted her head,
looking all contrite.
“Tiffany, don’t beat yourself up. Some people
are just never going to amount to anything.
Today’s your birthday. Don’t ruin it by worrying
about that,” Mom said, coldly. She didn’t even
glance in my direction.
Tiffany’s lips curved into a small smile. Her eyes
held a triumphant glint. I looked at her briefly before turning away, a soft chuckle escaping
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peneτactor, like ne was about to win the lottery.
This was all their hope of rising back up.
It was getting close to eight o’clock, and Dad
kept looking at his watch. Mom and Tiffany’s
excitement was starting to fade. Dad finally
went to the door to check outside.
“If he shows up, stay out of sight. Don’t
embarrass the family,” Dad said, looking at me
with a blank expression.
I just nodded.
They were in for a disappointment tonight.
- 3.
Another hour went by, and the mystery man
didn’t show. Tiffany was starting to get pissed.
Dad was trying hard to keep a smile on his
face, encouraging her to blow out the candles.
Mom was telling herself that he must have been
held un
く
After the candles were blown, the picture-
taking started. I was the designated
photographer.
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Tiffany was in a great mood because of the
new piano and car. She even asked me to join in a group shot. Dad didn’t object, just gave me a look I couldn’t decipher.
Mom’s face fell as she looked at the photos. “Sarah, everyone is smiling except you! You look like you’re trying to ruin the picture.”
“We can just retake it. Mom, don’t be upset.”
Tiffany snuggled up to Mom and her anger
melted away like ice cream in the sun.
We took more photos, but Mom still wasn’t
happy with my unsmiling face. Even Tiffany lost
patience. It was a total fail. But when it was
time to sing ‘Happy Birthday,‘ I sang the
loudest of all of them. I could see Tiffany glance
at me, but I pretended I didn’t notice.
<
“Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!”
While Tiffany had her eyes closed, making her
wishes, I closed my eyes and made a wish too.
“Sarah, happy twenty–third birthday.”
Yes, today was also my birthday. Tiffany and I
were born on the same day, just different years.
Dad didn’t remember, and Mom didn’t either.
They hadn’t celebrated my birthday since I was
six.
After cake, I checked social media. Dad, Mom,
and Tiffany had all posted. Mom posted a grid
of nine photos, all of her, Dad, and Tiffany. The
caption read: “My baby Tiffany is eighteen!
You’ll always be my little girl! I love you and
hope we’re happy forever.”
Dad’s was short and sweet: “Happy 18th
birthday to my little princess.” Same grid, same
- 4.
Once upon a time, I was Mom and Dad’s only
princess. Every year they went all out for my
birthday. Then Mom, rubbing her stomach, said,
“Sarah, you’re going to have a baby brother or
sister. You’ll never be lonely again. Aren’t you
excited?”
I didn’t really understand what it meant, but I
was looking forward to having a baby sibling. It
sounded nice.
Later, Mom’s belly grew bigger and bigger, and
she got super busy. She decided I’d go to
Grandma’s, a thousand miles away. Dad
agreed. He was just a junior manager at the
time and had no time for me.
At five, it was the first time I was away from my
parents, and I was really scared. One thought
kept going around my head: the parents who
loved me didn’t want me anymore.
く
The first two years, Mom and Dad would come
visit. Each time, I thought they were finally
going to take me home. Whenever Grandma
told me they were coming, I would pack my
bags in advance. But they always left without
- me.
