My parents forbade me from celebrating my 18th birthday because my sister didn’t feel special enough. So I moved out that night. A year later, their golden girl saw how successful I’d become, and her jealous meltdown shattered the family.

”

“It is what it is.”

“No, Emma, it’s not normal. You know that, right? Parents aren’t supposed to pick favorites like that.”

I swallowed, staring at my hands.

“I know.”

“Do you know?” he pushed gently. “Because you’re talking about it like it’s just some quirk of your family dynamic, but it’s actual emotional neglect.”

Hearing him name it so directly made continue reading …