“Shut up—don’t you dare bring up my mother!”Rose, tucked smugly beside Dad, laughed like she owned the room. Then she put on the sweetest face and cooed, “Dad, don’t be angry. Mom wouldn’t want to see you like this.”That line hit him like a trigger. Ethan instantly calmed, as if she’d flipped a switch. After that, Rose moved into our house and settled in like she belonged there. I faded into the background like a ghost.She took over my room. She took the childhood things my parents had given me. She got all the attention I’d been starving for—and she loved to provoke me.When things went quiet and tense, Rose would smile and say, “Dad, my birthday is tomorrow. Make sure you get home early to celebrate, okay?”Ethan’s whole face lit up. “Of course, my baby girl. How could I miss it? We’ll throw you a big party.”Rose grinned that practiced grin. Then she added, faux-sweet, “If my sister wants to come, she’s welcome. We’re family, right, Dad?”Ethan stroked Rose’s hair, all softness.
Magbasa pa