- 4.
Brittany sees me and visibly shudders, like
she’s seen a ghost.
Finally, she musters up the courage to reach
out her hand.
“Ashley, let’s bury the hatchet!”
I stand there, stunned.
I never argued with her, what is there to
forgive?
Five years ago, I was a college freshman.
Like always, every time I entered a new place,
I declared my ownership over Carter Hayes.
Carter was my fiancé, and I loved him fiercely,
plus, being Ashley Landry, the spoiled rich
girl, I didn’t tolerate any girl looking at him
twice.
Brittany was one of them.
<
Dillany was one of them.
Brittany grew up in an orphanage, but
somehow, she always managed to catch
Carter’s eye, and he couldn’t help but pay
attention.
Even my brother, who always took my side,
turned against me.
I confronted her once.
After that, Brittany was tormented by bullies.
Everyone said that I was behind it.
By the end of the semester, Brittany couldn’t
take it anymore and jumped from the roof of
the school.
She was rescued unharmed, but she left o
r
She was rescued, unharmed, but she left a
note.
It was full of accusations against me.
Nobody believed me.
Carter broke up with me.
I thought it was the worst thing that could
happen to me.
Then, I found out I wasn’t a Landry after all.
Brittany was the real daughter.
And my real parents?
No one would tell me!
I fell from grace in the blink of an eye.
The people who had raised me sent me to a
mental hospital.
“I don’t want the family to worry, whatever
you did, I don’t care.”
“If you don’t make Mom and Dad mad, I can
treat you like a sister!”
Brittany smiles, all sweetness and
forgiveness.
Anyone would praise her for her kindness and
generosity.
Dad nods in agreement.
“That’s right if you change you can be a
“That’s right, if you change, you can be a
Landry again!”
Chad frowns at me.
“I only forgave you because Brittany wanted
me to.
Thank Brittany now, and if you bully her
again, I won’t forgive you!”
Five years ago, I would have defended myself.
I didn’t bully Brittany, she did it all herself.
But now, I’m not going to humiliate myself by
explaining things to people who don’t care.
“I’m sorry, I just wanted to get my ID back…”
r
They all glare at me.
They think I’m ungrateful.
“Why do you make a fuss about this small
thing?
If you’re so childish, do you want to go back
to the hospital?”
“We raised you, why can’t you be nice like
Brittany, why can’t you be a better daughter?”
Mom seems agitated.
I don’t know why she’s so upset.
“But I’m not your daughter anymore!”
<
Is it not normal for me to get my ID and
leave?
Mom freezes.
She lets go of me, looks at me.
It’s like she doesn’t recognize me.
