002

SHAYLE

As if having my boyfriend dump me after humiliating me was not enough, I now only had four months left to live.

It was unbelievable but it was true. I spent the whole Saturday, sulking and trying to accept it. When evening finally came, I dragged myself out of bed to go visit my mother and Alina, my sister.

The streets blurred. People laughed, headlights flashed and children ran past, but it was all distant. I could not feel anything except the hollow weight in my chest.

I only stopped when my reflection caught me off guard in a dusty store mirror. My brown hair which I kept growing for so long just because Carlos loved long hair, now irritated me. My eyes were swollen and my lips were cracked. I looked bland.

Was this what he meant when he called me a plain Jane right in front of everyone?

A tear slipped before I could stop it. I wiped it away quickly and turned with heavy legs.

I just needed to get home to my family. Maybe hearing Mum’s voice would help, or maybe Alina would make me laugh.

But then I thought of the report crumpled in my bag. Four months. How was I supposed to even tell them something like that?

By the time I reached the door, laughter drifted from inside. Mum’s soft chuckle. Alina’s shrill giggle. And then, another laugh. A man’s voice.

My stomach clenched when I recognized it.

Carlos.

I froze, my hand hovering on the knob. No. It could not be. I pushed the door open anyway, my heart hammering.

The smell of roasted chicken greeted me, so warm and familiar it almost tricked me into thinking everything was fine. But the sight waiting at the dining table ripped that illusion away.

There was Carlos, sitting there like he belonged, sharing food and smiles with my mother and Alina.

I stopped dead. “What…what the hell are you doing here?”

All three of them turned to me. Mum looked startled. Alina blinked, like she had not expected me. Carlos did not even flinch.

“I was invited.”

“Invited?” My voice cracked.

“You dumped me yesterday in front of everyone at work. And now you’re here, eating dinner with my family like nothing happened?”

Alina groaned, tossing her fork down. “God, you’re so dramatic. Why do you always make everything about you?”

I stared at her, stunned. “Excuse me?”

Carlos chuckled under his breath and turned to Alina.

“See? This is exactly what I told you about. She's always so desperate, always making things about her every damn time.”

My chest burned and confusion set in. Why was he talking about me like that to her and she wasn't saying anything?

“What the hell is going on here?” I asked again.

Alina stood suddenly, crossing her arms. “Fine. You want to know so badly? Carlos is with me now.”

The words cut through me like a fucking blade. “What?”

Carlos stood to join Alina and even placed his hand on her waist as he looked at her like he was so deeply in love with her. And then his eyes drifted to me, unbothered by the shock and heartbreak written on my face.

“She’s telling the truth. We’ve been seeing each other for a while.”

My knees nearly buckled. I shook my head violently. “No. That’s impossible. You broke up with me just yesterday. Yesterday!”

Alina scoffed.

“Are you that slow? We’ve been dating for months, Shayle. He dumped you because he wanted to stop sneaking around.”

I looked to Mum, desperate for her to stop this madness. But she did not even meet my eyes. She only stared down at her plate.

“Mum?” My voice trembled. “You’re okay with this?”

Her silence told me everything.

Rage sparked inside me. How could they all gang up against me like this? I turned to Alina.

“How could you? You’re my sister.”

Her lips curled. “Half-sister. Actually, adopted sister. Don’t forget that. We’re not blood, Shayle. You’ve never really been family.”

The words hurt deeper than I thought possible.

Carlos smirked. “You know, Alina’s been more of a woman to me in weeks than you were in four years. She’s exciting. She knows how to keep a man interested. And unlike you, she doesn’t hide behind excuses when I want something.”

I glared at him, disgust rising like bile. “You’re fucking trash. Both of you.”

Alina gasped theatrically.

“Wow. Hear that, Mum? She’s calling me trash now because I finally found happiness. How could she be so ungrateful?”

Mum’s eyes snapped up. “Shayle, that’s enough.”

“No, it’s not enough!” My voice cracked but I did not stop.

“I broke my back for this family. I paid the debts. I kept the rent steady. I made sure Alina finished college while she partied. And this is what I get? You stealing my boyfriend and laughing in my face?”

“Watch your tongue, Shayle,” Mum warned, her voice low.

Something inside me broke that instant.

“Do you know what hurt the most? Not Carlos. Not even Alina but you, Mum. Tonight you made it clear I was nothing but the adopted one who's easily disposable. You would rather watch me get humiliated than protect me, because at the end of the day, Alina is your real daughter and I’m not!”

Mum rose slowly, her eyes blazing. Before I could move, her hand lashed across my face, sharp and stinging.

The sound echoed through the room.

I staggered back, clutching my cheek. Tears spilled hot and fast, and for a long moment, none of them said a word. Carlos smirked, Alina crossed her arms and Mum just stared, her eyes hard as stone.

And in that silence, something inside me died.

“Alina is right. You're nothing but an ungrateful wench.”

My eyes locked on her.

Ungrateful? I've been anything but ungrateful to this household. They knew that better than anyone. How? How could they do this to me?