All Chapters of Unapologetically Me: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

The night my wedding fell apart, my sister, Jocelyn Lawson, posted a family photo from her graduation on social media.She was flanked by our parents and brother, while my fiance stood behind her, holding a bouquet like a steadfast guardian. Her smile looked dazzling at the center of it all.Her caption was simple but stung like a barb. "The favorite never has to wait."The glow of my phone screen lit up my face. A hollow ache settled in my chest—not anger, but a bone-deep weariness.I typed a brief comment. "Congrats on your graduation. Thrilled for you."The door flew open just as I was about to turn off my phone.My brother, Joseph Lawson, stormed in, his words sharp as a blade. "What the hell was that comment you left on Jocelyn's post? Are you seriously mocking your own sister in front of everyone?"He didn't wait for my explanation and barreled on. "You've already embarrassed yourself at your wedding today. Now, you want to drag Jocelyn down with you?"I set my phone on t

Chapter 2

I put on oven mitts and carried the cheesy seafood casserole to the dining table. But before I could even reach it, the scene that unfolded before me made my eyes sting.My dad, Marcus Lawson, was a man who never had the patience to hear me out. He was sitting quietly on the couch, hanging on every word as Jocelyn shared funny stories from school.My mom, Olivia Bennett, had an arm gently draped around her as she tucked a few loose strands of hair behind Jocelyn's ear.Joseph sat nearby, his eyes brimming with amusement.The whole family was gathered around her, like she was the star of the day.I stood in the doorway, feeling like an outsider in my own home."Dinner's ready," I said softly.Jocelyn looked up at me, a triumphant smirk flickering across her lips before she slipped into her best wounded puppy act."Joanna, are you still mad at me? Did… your wedding get wrecked because of me?"Mom's expression immediately lost its warmth. "Joanna, what's with that attitude? Jocel

Chapter 3

Felix's eyes were ice-cold as he stared at me, as if I were a stranger.He said flatly, "Let's take Jocelyn to the hospital first."He didn't hesitate, question, or even harbor a single doubt about the so-called "crime" they'd pinned on me.Joseph hurriedly draped a coat over Jocelyn and helped her out the door.They all rushed out, not one of them sparing me a glance.The moment the door slammed shut, silence swallowed the house whole. Only then did the weight of it hit me. They were really gone, and I was all alone.I dragged my numb body back to my room. The silence was so heavy that even the sound of my own breathing felt jarring.I opened the closet and folded a few everyday clothes into my suitcase. Passport, IDs, and bank cards—I checked them one by one.As I cleared out my drawer, a thick notebook slipped out and thudded onto the floor. It was the diary I'd started writing when I was eight.I stared at it, my fingers trembling, and was unable to stop myself from flippi

Chapter 4

I zipped my suitcase shut. The room was so quiet that I could hear nothing but my own breathing.Then, my phone buzzed, and the familiar name flashing on the screen made my fingers tremble.I accepted the call."Hello?" My voice came out hoarse.Felix's voice came through, stripped of all the warmth it once held, leaving only cold fury. "Joanna! Jocelyn's in the hospital, and you can't even bother to show up? Not even an apology?"His tone was as sharp as a blade, cutting through any chance I had to explain.I pressed my lips together, staying silent for a moment before finally saying, "Felix, I'd never play with someone's life."But he wasn't listening. His voice grew even colder. "Stop lying! Jocelyn would never, ever risk her own life!"I tightened my grip on the phone, my knuckles turning white as a wave of bitterness welled up in my chest.Why wouldn't they even hear me out?From the very beginning, all they ever wanted was a "culprit" to blame.I took a deep breath, ke

Chapter 5

Joseph was the first to snap out of his shock. His eyes were sharp with suspicion and hostility, like a prosecutor staring down a criminal."Are you running away? Trying to dodge responsibility for Jocelyn's allergic reaction?" he demanded.My parents immediately joined in, disappointment and reproach written all over their faces.Mom's voice was cold. "Joanna, how could you be so selfish? Jocelyn's still in the hospital, and all you can think about is leaving?"Dad frowned and added, "You have no sense of responsibility."I looked at them, a cold numbness spreading through my chest.So that was it. No matter what I did, they always called it selfish."Dodging responsibility?" I curled my lips into a bitter smile. "When did I ever say I was?"I picked up my phone, dialed Jocelyn's number right in front of them, and put it on speaker.After a few rings, her voice came through—weak but still dripping with her usual arrogance."Joanna? Are you calling to chew me out?"She thoug

Chapter 6

The moment I hung up, it felt like a heavy weight had finally lifted off my shoulders.On the other end, Felix stood frozen until Jocelyn's soft, delicate voice brought him back to his senses."Felix, Joanna's probably just in a bad mood. She just needs a little space to cool off. Don't worry too much. She loves you so much—she'd never really walk away. You know how she always loves playing hard to get."Felix fell silent for a moment, as if conceding her point."You're right. She's probably just throwing a tantrum," he said approvingly. "Jocelyn, you always understand her better than anyone."Neither of them knew that my leaving wouldn't unfold the way they expected. At first, they thought I was just being dramatic and would come crawling back in a few days. But as time dragged on, a growing unease settled over my parents and Felix.Felix stared at my number—which had been silent in his contacts for far too long—haunted by the vague feeling that he'd lost something he could neve

Chapter 7

I thought I'd made myself crystal clear, but I never expected them to show up at my door.That day, when I got back to my apartment from the hospital, I froze the moment I reached the ground floor. There they were—Mom, Dad, Joseph, and Felix—waiting like sentinels outside my door, each wearing a different expression.As soon as they spotted me, they closed in.Just as Joseph was about to speak, Felix pushed his way forward until he was right in front of me. His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked much more worn down than the last time I saw him."Joan, it's been a while," he began, his voice trembling. "I know you're just mad at me. We're not breaking up."I stared at him, feeling nothing but an empty calmness inside."Felix, a breakup doesn't need your permission," I said. My voice was even and steady, carrying a sense of finality.Felix went completely still. He looked like he couldn't wrap his head around the fact that I, the woman who once loved him so deeply, could suddenly

Chapter 8

"It's all in the past," I murmured. My voice was so calm it felt like I was talking about someone else's life.I turned to head upstairs, but Joseph grabbed my wrist, stopping me in my tracks."Joanna, you're really not coming back with us?"The urgency in his voice was palpable, as though my leaving would be an irreversible mistake.At that moment, all the emotions I'd been holding in finally broke loose."Go back?"I spun around, eyes burning red as I glared at them and aired my grievances."Do you really think an apology can erase all the pain I've suffered all these years?"I'm the one who was wronged! But all my life, Jocelyn's been soaking up all of Mom and Dad's love."I'm the one you all ignored, the one Felix betrayed! What makes you think a hollow apology will make me forgive everything?"I've spent years drowning in misery in the Lawson family. Why should I happily follow you home just because you're offering an apology?"My voice trembled. My eyes welled up, but

Chapter 9

When I heard what had become of Jocelyn, Felix, and Joseph, I didn't feel the vindication I once thought I would, nor the quiet thrill of revenge. All I felt was a faint pang of wistfulness. But whatever happened to them had nothing to do with me anymore.I'd poured every ounce of myself into my work and Hanna. Life felt full and peaceful.When Hanna turned three, I returned to Ashbourne with major research accomplishments and joined the National Medical Center's core team.I devoted all my time to Hanna outside of work. She was smart, lively, and adorable—the most precious gift life had ever given me.My parents and Joseph tracked me down through various channels and even tried to visit me.That day, I was buried in lab work when my assistant, Lily Snyder, hurried in."Dr. Lawson, there are people downstairs asking for you," she said.I frowned slightly. "Who are they?""They said they're your family."I didn't look up. "I'm not seeing them."Lily hesitated. "But they—""Te

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