The Sister They Threw Away

My run-down rental had mold-spotted walls and curtains chewed to shreds by rats.

Everything I owned was stuffed into a battered duffel bag I had picked up from the bar where I worked.

My phone suddenly buzzed with a text from my brothers: "Heather, come home now. We have something important to discuss."

I stared at the words "come home," tears dripping onto the screen. A tiny spark of hope flickered to life inside me.

My brothers still remembered me.

I spent half a day's wages on a cab and raced home.

I pushed open the front door, and what I saw froze me in place.

They were gathered around Leah, celebrating her birthday. Dominic, Julian, and my childhood sweetheart Darian Cross were all there.

Dominic stroked Leah's hair, his voice impossibly tender. "Another year older. Happy birthday, Leah."

Julian chimed in with a grin. "Even when you're eighty, you'll still be my favorite little princess."

Darian leaned in with his camera. "She definitely likes me best. She even said she'd marry me when we were kids."

Laughter filled the living room. No one noticed me standing in the doorway.

I stood there in my wrinkled shirt, mortified, until my legs went numb. Only then did Dominic glance my way.

His smile vanished, replaced by the cold look I knew so well. "Heather. That was fast."

Leah spared me a fleeting glance, scooped up her gifts, and retreated to her room.

Julian spoke first, his tone like he was ordering a servant around. "What are you standing there for? Get over here!"

I was about to sit on the far end of the couch when Darian tossed a blanket at me. "Sit on that. Don't stain Leah's favorite sofa."

I looked down at myself.

My jeans had been washed until they were nearly white, the hems fraying badly, and several patches stood out in obvious places. But they were the best pair I owned.

I didn't argue. I just spread the blanket in silence and sat down.

Dominic pushed a document in front of me. "Look it over and sign. We still have to take Leah to a bar for the rest of her birthday celebration."

The first page read in bold letters: Voluntary Relinquishment of Inheritance.

The house, shares, and savings my parents had left behind, all to be transferred unconditionally to Leah.

My hands began to tremble. I turned to the second page: Termination of Adoption and Severance of Family Ties.

"Oh, forgot to mention," Julian said casually. "You were adopted by our parents."

Dominic leaned in and lowered his voice. "Leah's birthday wish this year is to have a complete family."

His long fingers tapped the table impatiently. "Just sign it. Consider it your birthday present to Leah."