I Forgot My Toxic Family

10 years ago, my family had been driving through the desert when our car broke down, leaving us stranded in the middle of nowhere. There had only been one bottle of water left. I had been severely dehydrated, barely clinging to life. Yet, my younger sister, Serena, had cried and said that the desert rose she had planted in a flowerpot was about to wilt. However, my parents didn't even hesitate at her unreasonable demand. They poured every last drop of my water into the pot. "You've got a strong will. You can hold on a little longer!" "This flower is delicate. It might die if we don't water it now!" "We'll take it with us out of the desert. We'll come back to save you once we get help!" Vultures had circled overhead as they scurried off, clutching the pot, completely forgetting about me lying unconscious beneath the dune. Fortunately for me, I was rescued by a geological survey team out of sheer dumb luck. Later, I saw the bestselling book my 'darling' family had written. 'We lost our brave daughter. She left us the last bottle of water so we could get help.' The next time we met was at an auction. They wanted to worm their way into high society, hoping for a lucky break. I linked my arm through the host's arm and looked my biological parents straight in the eye. "We've got very important guests coming today. It would be better to have these beggars thrown out."

My mother hated me, to the point that she wished I were dead. I knew I deserved to die. Sixteen years ago, if I hadn’t insisted on going out, my brother wouldn’t have died while trying to save me. Eventually, both of us got what we wished for. I got brain cancer. She had become a stranger to me as I forgot everything and went to die in blissful ignorance. Then, she went mad.

The three Cavalli heirs once acted as if I were the center of their world. They fought over me, made enemies for me, and swore no one would ever force me into a marriage I did not want. For years, I believed them. Then I was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. The surgeons warned me that saving my life might cost me my memories. I was terrified of forgetting the three men I had loved for so long, yet when I needed them most, all I got back was anger. Later, Viola sent me a video of fireworks bursting over the coast, her name written across the sky, while the three silver saint medals I had once begged for in their names gleamed at her throat. That was when I finally let go. I left the country, had the surgery, and built a life that did not include them. Much later, three strangers ended up on their knees outside my door, begging me to remember them.

[The story about my son cutting ties with us is all an act. If I hadn’t done that, there’s no way my daughter would have willingly handed over the money!] During the long holiday weekend, I was killing time at my desk when I randomly clicked on a Reddit post. Maybe it was because I also had a younger brother who had cut ties with the family. The night he slammed the door and left, my parents seemed to age ten years overnight. From that day on, I became their only source of support. Every month, I send them five hundred dollars for living expenses. Even when I wasn’t feeling well, I forced myself to work. Meanwhile, the post kept updating. [I raised her for over ten years. What's wrong with spending some of her money? Her brother is still short of fifty thousand dollars for the down payment on his house. We need the money before the holiday ends.] I wanted to keep reading, but my manager called me into a meeting. That evening, while we were having dinner, Mom spoke up, her voice trembling slightly. “Your father and I need to discuss something with you, sweetheart…” My heart skipped a beat. For some reason, the last line from that post flashed through my mind. [I'll just tell her the business is in debt and that we need her money. She's always been a good child. She'll surely do what I ask.] “Mom… you and Dad aren’t in debt, are you?”

Three years after my family committed me to a psychiatric hospital, I finally managed to escape. But my freedom didn't mean much, not when the cancer had already metastasized. Knowing my days were numbered, I just wanted one decent meal. I used the pocket change I'd scraped together from collecting recycling to buy an ice cream cone—something I had never been allowed to try before. I stood on the street, happily enjoying it, when a metal chain suddenly whipped across my face. "Chantal is seriously ill, and you have the nerve to stand here enjoying yourself? I knew you always wanted her dead." It was my mother, whom I hadn't seen in years. She screamed hysterically, swinging the heavy metal strap of her designer purse and leaving bloody welts across my cheeks. Losing her mind completely, she grabbed me by the hair and slammed my head against the wall. My brother arrived just in time to watch coldly. With a sneer, he ordered his bodyguards to pin me down to the pavement. "Looks like we've been letting you live way too comfortably," he mocked. "Splurging on ice cream while Chantal suffers? Must be nice! But your timing is perfect. She needs a marrow transplant. "You ruined her life, and this is your only shot at redemption. If you're a match, I'll allow you back into this family. Isn't that what you used to beg us for?" Tears silently slipped down my face. It was all too late; the cancer cells were already everywhere in my body. I was going to die very soon.

The day the Family divided up its businesses changed everything. Everyone crowded around my twin sister, helping her choose. My brother had his eye on the port operation in Cagliari. "Of course we should go to Cagliari first. I've got a club there too, so I can help you out." Umberto offered her control of his medical network. "Come into healthcare with me. I'll show you the ropes, and within two years we'll have the Family's money running through legitimate businesses." They argued back and forth until our parents laughed at the scene. "Beth, with them helping you, we can rest easy. Handing the Family's affairs over to you is the perfect fit." I stood off to the side, watching, my fists clenched. No one seemed to notice that my sister and I had both just finished our studies abroad. Umberto walked over and ruffled my hair. "Adele, you still have a lot to learn. Once Beth has made her choice, just follow along with us." My brother added casually, "Just find any job that pays the bills. Leave the Family business to us." I said nothing. My heart was pounding. It had always been this way. Even when we were little and candy was handed out, my sister always got the biggest, brightest piece. My brother unwrapped it for her, and Umberto raced to pop it into her mouth. I was the one to throw away the wrapper. I never even got a crumb. I should have been used to it by now. Since none of them cared about me, I wasn't going to play their game anymore. I booked a flight to the farthest place I could find. From that day on, we were strangers. As if we had never known each other.