Cutting Their Losses

The papers in the fire curled as the flames consumed them. Black ash drifted into the pot roast on the dinner table.They were photocopies of my birth certificate.My father, David Parker, wore the tailored suit he only put on for meetings with important clients. Not a single wrinkle marked the cuffs."Hannah Parker, starting today, you're no longer an official member of this family." His voice wasn't loud, but the cold indifference in it left no room for hope.My mother, Jennifer Parker, sat beside him, peeling shrimp. One by one, she arranged the shrimp neatly onto Abby's plate."In other words, from now on, the family budget only includes Abby," she said, sliding the plate toward my sister, Abigail Parker.Abigail smiled sweetly. "If Hannah doesn't behave, can we send her away?"Her childish voice sounded innocent, but every word drove into my ears like an icicle.Mom's hand paused for just a moment before she gently patted Abby's head. "You're so smart, sweetheart. I was th

I was twelve.Abigail started at Blackwood Academy, the best middle school in the city. It was an elite private school. One semester's tuition was enough to keep me alive for ten years.Her uniform was custom-tailored. The hem of her skirt fell exactly an inch above her knees, showing off her smooth, slender legs.My clothes were altered from her hand-me-downs. Nothing fit properly. The sleeves were too short, and the pant legs too long.Whenever the neighbors saw me, they'd whisper behind my back."Look at the Parkers' oldest girl. She dresses like a beggar.""Meanwhile, the younger one's decked out in designer clothes."I didn't care.What I cared about was that I could finally sneak off to the library.Every time I came back from buying groceries, I'd stop by the library's back entrance for ten minutes.I read books, discarded newspapers people had thrown away, and magazines with missing pages.That's how I learned the ocean was blue, that penguins lived in Antarctica, an

I was eighteen.I had to leave.I'd overheard my parents talking. They were planning to marry me off to Wayne Carter, a forty-year-old man with a limp. He was a construction contractor, and he was willing to prepare a $200,000 dowry.That money was just enough to cover Abigail's tuition to study abroad."He's from a good family," Mom said absentmindedly as she peeled an orange. "He may be a little older, but you'll never have to worry about food or money."Dad sat smoking. Through the haze, his face was blurred."It's time you contributed something to this family," he said. "After all, we've raised you all these years."Raised.The word pierced me like a thorn.I went back to my room and packed my things.There wasn't much to pack. Just a few books, the broken fountain pen, and a rusty pair of scissors.I tucked the scissors into the deepest compartment of my bag.That night, I went to my parents' bedroom. They were already asleep.I stood beside the bed, looking at their

The wedding was held at a luxury hotel. The ballroom glittered with lights, and the room was filled with guests.I stood behind Abigail in my bridesmaid's dress. It was bright red, so red it looked as though it had been dyed with blood.Abigail stood on the stage, smiling blissfully.Vincent was a balding middle-aged man. His leering eyes never left her.When it was time to exchange rings, Abigail's hand trembled, but she still smiled and held out her finger.In that moment, I saw the despair in her eyes. She was truly afraid. Even so, she married him because she had grown used to being a puppet.After the ceremony, the reception began.I stayed in a corner, watching the well-dressed crowd.Someone suddenly tapped me on the shoulder. It was Vincent."So you're the big sister?" He reeked of alcohol as he leaned close."That's right.""I hear you're very obedient." His hand slid onto my waist.I fought back the disgust and didn't move."Don't move," he whispered. "Come to my

Another five years passed.I bought a small house on the outskirts of the city. It wasn't big—just four hundred square feet—but it was a place that belonged entirely to me.I adopted a cat and named it Freedom. It was lazy, spending all day stretched out on the windowsill in the sun.I worked as a stock clerk at a supermarket. The job was dull, but it gave me peace.Until the day I got a call from the community office."Is this Hannah Parker?""Yes.""Your mother fell at the nursing home and is in the hospital. Could you come by?"I wanted to refuse, but I remembered what Dad had once said."When you're old, let's see who's there to take care of you."So I went.Mom lay in a hospital bed. She was so thin she looked like little more than skin and bones. Her leg was in a cast. Age spots covered her face.The moment she saw me, her cloudy eyes lit up."Hannah..." She reached out with a trembling hand.I didn't take it."What do you want?" I asked."Money… The medical bills