Chapter 2
The shirt hit my face with a sharp snap, then fell to the floor. “What is this?” Kier barked, glaring at the wrinkled garment. “Why the hell isn’t this done yet?” I bent to pick it up, blood from the wound on my palm still seeping into the bandage. “I’m sorry,” I said softly. “I got caught up with the laundry, and I was cleaning—then the vase earlier—” “Oh, so you’re still making excuses now?” His voice rose. “Is that it, Erika? You want a Paris honeymoon but can’t even do basic chores?” He threw a second bundle of white clothes at me, this one speckled with a pale yellow stain. “And what about this? Look at it!” he snapped. “You ruined it. This is designer. Do you even know how expensive this was?” I stared at the stain—barely visible—but in his eyes, it was a catastrophe. “I didn’t see it,” I murmured. “I’ll fix it.” “God, Erika,” he groaned. “This is your job. Your only job. You get to sit in this house, have whatever you want handed to you, and the one thing I ask—keep the house in order—and even that’s too hard?” Before I could gather my words, the front door opened, and a familiar voice rang out, honey-sweet and full of sparkle. “Kier! Brother-in-law! Why are you shouting again?” Camille. She entered with her usual grand entrance—sun-kissed from her trip, her long curls bouncing, arms full of designer bags and luggage with tags still hanging from them. “Oh, look at this!” she grinned, placing the gifts down. “Spain was beautiful. You’d love it, Kier. I brought you something.” Kier immediately softened. “Camille, you didn’t have to—” She held out a sleek box. “These are custom pieces from Madrid. Only a few made. I saw them and thought of you.” He opened the box like a child with a toy, smiling wide. Then Camille looked at me, feigning concern. “Why were you shouting at my sister? She looks tired. Look at her hands—she’s clearly been working hard. Don’t worry about the shirt. I brought you new ones.” And just like that, I faded into the background again. The front door opened once more. “Camille! My star!” my father David boomed, walking in with arms full of gifts. “How was the trip? Tell us everything!” She hugged him like the daughter he always wished I had been. “I closed the deal. It’s done!” “Of course you did,” David beamed. “I always say—best decision I ever made was bringing you into this family.” They laughed. They toasted water glasses. They complimented each other like a well-rehearsed play. I stood in the corner like a piece of furniture. Then Kier turned to me, already irritated. “Well? What are you doing just standing there? Go prepare food for your sister. She just brought us gifts, the least you could do is cook.” Camille walked toward me with another box. “Sis, I got something for you too,” she said with a fake smile. “Since I know you love cooking… it’s an apron. With matching kitchen mitts and measuring cups. Cute, right? You can wear it now while making dinner.” I stared at it, lips tightening. I forced a small nod. “Thanks.” “Say it properly,” my father barked. “Where are your manners?” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Thank you, Camille.” “See?” David grunted. “Stop babying her, Camille. She should be grateful. Let her show it through actions. Go, cook for us.” So I cooked. I cut. I chopped. I stirred and fried and cleaned, bleeding and aching all the while. I did it like I always did—without complaint, without recognition. But when I called them to the table, I was met with silence. Kier was the first to speak. “Actually, don’t bother. We’re heading out.” “What?” “Camille closed a major deal. We’re going to celebrate at Florentina’s. You know, that new luxury place near the harbor.” Camille laughed. “You’ll love it, Kier. I booked the private balcony. It’s stunning.” Then she turned to me, suddenly remembering. “Come with us, sis?” But before I could answer, Kier scoffed. “No need. Erika doesn’t even understand what the deal was about. She’ll be out of place. Doesn’t even have clothes for a place like that.” “She can borrow mine—” Camille offered half-heartedly. Kier waved her off. “She’s staying. She’s behind on the laundry anyway.” And like that, they all agreed. Camille smiled, my father chuckled, and my husband kissed Camille’s hand like it was nothing. And I—once again—was left standing in a kitchen filled with steam, silence, and the scent of food no one would eat. That night, after washing every plate, folding napkins, and mopping the floor, I sank onto the couch. I opened my phone to escape—to scroll, to feel something other than this ache. That’s when I saw it. A new post. From my son. Joseph. I clicked. There they were. In Florentina’s. Laughing. Drinking. Eating. Clinking wine glasses. My son. My husband. My father. Camille. Smiling like they were a perfect family. Without me. I stared at the screen, my hands trembling. No caption. No mention. Just a perfect picture of everything I wasn’t allowed to be part of. I had cooked for them. Served them. Loved them. And they had forgotten me. Left me. Again. The tears came quietly this time. Not loud or dramatic. Just slow, tired, and steady. I didn’t sob. I didn’t scream. I just let the ache fall from my eyes… because no one was ever going to notice.