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.

made me feel like I needed to diminish myself.

I built a life that was entirely my own.

Around Thanksgiving, Kiara asked if I was going home for the holidays.

“That’s not my home anymore,” I said simply.

She didn’t push.

I spent Thanksgiving with Mrs. Chen and her family, Christmas with Marcus and his parents in Ohio. New Year’s Eve at a party with my design continue reading …