8.
After the results came out, the best colleges
in the country tried to recruit me.
Some teachers told me to study overseas.
But I picked State, the best school in the
area. Ashley told me she wanted to go there
one day.
So I picked State and waited.
Josh messaged me.
I blocked them, but he had other numbers.
“State has a great reputation. It’s a good
choice. Mom and Dad want to throw you a
party. You should come home.”
I laughed, but I didn’t say no.
く
It was time to give them my present.
“Okay. I’ll be back for the party.”
Josh sent me the details.
I didn’t respond. He realized and stopped
messaging.
The party was on a sunny day. The Johnsons had booked a fancy hotel.
I came as the Johnsons were starting to freak
out.
They were happy to see me.
They were proud of me, and the party was
great.
Relatives and business partners came and
went. Mom and Dad introduced me.
Where were the people who had disowned
me?
Ashley looked pale.
She was in a wheelchair, surrounded by her
friends.
They glared at me, like they wanted revenge.
Kyle, who had gotten me food and drinks,
came over and toasted me with a fake smile.
“Congratulations. It’s too bad about your
sister. She should have been here too, but
she’s in a wheelchair.”
The Johnsons tensed.
I smiled and clinked glasses with him.
“That’s why I want to apologize to my sister.” The Johnsons looked at me hopefully.
Kyle seemed worried. He looked back at Ashley, who was trying to smile.
I pushed Ashley to the stage.
She turned pale and shook.
I opened the mic.
“Good morning. Thank you for coming. You
all know that my sister and I had a little fight.”
I smiled at Ashley and pressed play on my
phone. The party turned into a video.
Ashley looked shocked and looked back at
me.
I smiled at her.
“You didn’t think I could bribe the maid, did
you?”
I had paid the other maid to install cameras in
her room.
Everyone was looking at the video.
It showed me and Ashley fighting, and you
could hear our voices.
Suddenly, Ashley grabbed my hand and
pushed herself.
Then, she fell out the window.
It was simple.
But everyone froze, just like at the last party.
The Johnsons turned to Ashley.
Ashley shook and fainted.
I calmly walked off the stage and gave the
Johnsons my final gift.
“By the way, Dad, Ashley’s your real daughter.
Your daughter with Heather.”