Chapter 3
The autumn wind stung my eyes and made them tear up. I wiped my face quickly and headed to the market to buy ingredients.
Handling crab was brutal–my fingers turned red within minutes, my palms breaking out in hives. But I gritted my teeth and pushed through.
It was the last meal we’d ever have together as a family.
I could handle a little pain.
By the time the Cajun crab boil was ready, my dad, Logan, and Harper had returned.
I brought the crab to the table, casting a quick glance at the living room.
It looked like something out of a happy family commercial.
My usually workaholic father was sitting across from Harper, completely focused as she chattered about some behind–the–scenes story from her performance.
Logan took a clementine from Harper’s hands and scolded her playfully.
“Let your big brother do the peeling. These hands were made for piano, not grunt work.”
And then there was Julian–my ex–fiancé who had shown up
ip with his parents.
It was painfully obvious they now preferred Harper over their former almost–daughter–in–law.
Julian sat beside her, eyes soft, practically glowing with affection. Every time she spoke for too long, he handed her a glass of water, like it was second nature
I stood there, Invisible.
Just like always.
As long as Harper was around, I stopped existing.
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The room was split in two–half warin laughter, half cold silence.
Once, not long ago, I used to sit where Harper was now,
Once, I was the one everyone circled around.
“Claire,” Harper called sweetly, “why are you just standing there? Come sit with us.”
Logan snorted. “Please don’t. The second she shows
up, the whole vibe gets ruined.
“I seriously don’t get it. Same last name, but how can one sister be so damn toxic?”
I dug my nails into my palms, holding back the tears with everything I had.
I forced a smile and said, “Yeah… I’ll
stay here. Food’s ready. You all go ahead and eat.”
I brought out the last seafood dish and set it on the table.
Six seats. All taken.
My usual seat?
Harper was in it.
The others–Dad, Logan, Julian, Mr. and Mrs. Ford–were already chatting and laughing, plates full. Logan glanced up at me.
But before he could say anything, I picked up my bowl and quietly went back into the kitchen.
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Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him pause.
Just for a second.
Then he turned back and started peeling shrimp for Harper.
Every dish had made it to the table.
ever scraps
And 1–alone in the kitchen–picked at whatever scraps were left in the bottom of the pan. That was all I got.
I told myself I wasn’t going to look.
But I did.
From the kitchen doorway, I watched the people who once called me family.
Harper smiled sweetly as Dad peeled lobster for her, Logan cracked open crab legs, Julian laughed at her every word.
Even Mr. and Mrs. Ford, who used to dote on me… now acted like Harper was the daughter they never had.
They poured, every ounce of attention and affection into her.
And then I couldn’t help but remember-
That used to be me.
That seat used to be mine.
That circle of love and warmth–mine.
I stared too long, and my gaze met Logan’s.
For a second, his eyes softened. Then they iced over.
I quickly looked away, retreating deeper into the kitchen like it could shield me from the shame burning in my chest.
But I wasn’t watching where I was going–my foot caught on a pot lid left on the floor.
Clang
The crash echoed through the house.
Dad stopped peeling shrimp and sneered.
“Knew it,” he muttered, “She was never actually sorry. Can’t even cook a meal without throwing a tantrum. No manners at all.”
I curled into myself in the dark, heart racing.
I wanted to say it–Dad… that’s not what happened. It was just an accident. This was our last meal together. I wasn’t trying to ruin it. But I bit my tongue. What was the point? He would never believe me
Mrs. Ford glanced toward the kitchen, her expression wavering for a second.
“She’s just a kid,” she said softly. “She cooked all this by herself–maybe she’s just tired. We didn’t even notice we were short a chair. Let’s add one for Claire.”
And just like that, under everyone’s disapproving glares, Mrs. Ford pulled me out and guided me to the table.
“Claire, sweetie, I haven’t seen you in two months. Why have you gotten so thin?”
“Eat more, okay?”
Maybe she meant well. But in a house where I’d been invisible for so long, even kindness felt like pity.
And the moment she said it, every eye turned to me,
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Dad looked at my face and hesitated. He opened his mouth–maybe to speak.
But Harper beat him to it.
She clutched her chest and gasped.
“L… I don’t feel good-” she coughed dramatically. “I–It’s hard to breathe…”
Instantly, everyone dropped what they were doing
Dad, Logan, Julian–they all rushed to her side.
When the red rashes appeared on her skin, Dad paled.
“This looks like an allergic reaction. How could she be allergic?”
His gaze snapped toward me, ice–cold.
Then, without warning, he slapped me, Hard.
“Did you do this? What kind of monster are you? I should’ve never had a daughter like you.”
1 stumbled backward, the world spinning
My ears rang
gas 1 hit the ground.
Their eyes bore into me like knives, not even trying to hide the blame
“No,” I whispered, panicked. “It wasn’t me. I didn’t-”
But just like every other time, no one cared to listen.
Logan gritted his teeth. “I can’t believe you’re my sister. You’re disgusting.
“You were way too eager to cook tonight. Now it makes sense. You wanted to hurt Harper.”
Julian looked down at me like I was nothing. Then he turned to his mother–the only person who’d shown me any hint of kindness. “Now do you see why I can’t stand her?” he said coldly. “She’s manipulative. I could never spend my life with someone like that.”
Mrs. Ford opened her mouth like she wanted to defend me–but Dad didn’t give her the chance.
“Enough! We’ll talk later. Get Harper to the hospital–now!”
And just like that, they all rushed out the door.
Leaving me on the floor. Alone. Face throbbing Heart shredded.
I watched their backs disappear, and finally–finally–I let the tears fall.
Of course.
was always like this.
was Harper versus me, they never even paused to consider who to believe.
Something in me broke that night.
And it didn’t just crack–it shattered.
But I reminded myself…
This was the last time.
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And they’d never get to hurt me again.
