Chapter 3

That weekend was our monthly dinner with the Alston family, and it happened to fall on my birthday.

When I got home, Bryan's mother, Marissa Dunne, was talking to Mom about Celia.

"Celia's such a sweetheart. She's so lively, and she always knows just what to say."

Mom waved her off with a smile. "Bryan's a great guy too. He's young and successful."

"The three of them grew up together. I still don't understand how Bryan ended up falling for Naomi."

Marissa sighed regretfully. Then, as if trying to make herself feel better, she added, "Naomi's not bad either. At least she's practical."

Apparently, being practical was the only good thing anyone could say about me.

A little while later, I heard voices by the door.

Celia walked in with her arm linked through Bryan's. As soon as she saw Marissa, she rushed over and threw her arms around her.

"Mrs. Alston, I missed you so much!"

Everyone laughed, and the whole room felt warm and cheerful.

I stood off to the side, feeling oddly detached. They really did look like a family. And then there was me, like some extra piece of furniture that didn't belong.

Then again, that wasn't entirely true. Mom always managed to smile at me after I transferred her money.

The doorbell rang, and I went to answer it.

"Delivery for Mr. Alston."

The courier handed me a huge, beautifully wrapped bouquet of bellflowers.

I struggled to hold it, my heart beating a little faster. Bryan had never given me flowers before.

But the moment I turned around, he took the bouquet from me and walked straight over to Celia.

"Congrats on the new place, Celia."

Her face lit up.

I slowly lowered my hands.

"Bryan," I called.

He turned to me, and his smile faded slightly. "What is it?"

"You bought her flowers?"

He looked at me in confusion, as if he couldn't understand why I was even asking. "Haven't you always said you don't like this kind of stuff?"

Then something seemed to occur to him, and he grew impatient. "Why do you keep comparing yourself to Celia lately? Aren't you embarrassed?"

With that, he turned away from me and walked back to Celia, his smile returning.

I laughed bitterly. I had no idea what I was still hoping for.

After dinner, once Marissa was gone, Dad proudly pulled out a set of car keys. "Your mom and I got you a present too. You have a long commute, so having a car will make things easier."

My blood ran cold.

So this was what Mom meant when she said the family had so many expenses and needed my help.

To come up with that extra 5,000 dollars every month, I watched every penny I spent. I wore my clothes until they were pilled or torn, and even then, I put off replacing them as long as I could.

I even had to think twice before spending a few dollars on a latte. And whenever my coworkers talked about the latest movies or invited me out to eat, I pretended I was too busy with work.

I'd always thought Mom and Dad were genuinely struggling. But there Celia was, accepting the car keys with a bright smile.

She looked at Mom with concern. "Mom, you just bought me a car. Won't money be tight?"

Mom patted her hand. "It's fine. We still have Naomi."

She said it so casually that my ears started ringing. As if every time the family came up short, I was expected to make up the difference.

Mom turned to me like it was the most natural thing in the world. "Oh, Naomi, you haven't sent me this month's money yet. Remember to transfer it today."

The laughter and conversation continued around me. I looked at Celia's designer clothes, perfectly curled hair, and the car keys in her hand. The longer I looked, the more it bothered me.

I swallowed hard and said calmly, "I'm not sending you any more money."