My parents texted me, “The Christmas party has been canceled. Don’t come, my love.” They had no idea I was standing right outside the door, watching them and my sister raise a glass and say, “Merry Christmas—it’s so much better without So

Sophia’ looks like.”

Chloe’s face twisted. “This is your fault,” she hissed at me. “You always ruin everything.”
I looked at her and felt something settle—grief, yes, but also freedom.

“I didn’t ruin your Christmas,” I said quietly. “I just stopped letting you ruin mine.”

My mother stepped toward me, voice suddenly sweet, trembling. “Honey… we didn’t mean continue reading …