My sister linked her arms through mine and my boyfriend’s, practically dragging us toward the theme park entrance with high-pitched excitement. On the roller coaster, as the car crested the highest drop, the two of them screamed, clinging tightly to each other, hands tangled, bodies pressed together in an instinctive huddle. Left standing at the exit once again, holding their bags, I suddenly realized I didn’t want to be their designated cameraman anymore. They came jogging down the exit ramp, breathless and giggling. “See, June?” Sabrina said, giving Mike’s side a playful pinch. “Told you it takes me to build some courage into your man.” She patted his waist, then turned her eyes on me. “Where’s the video, June?” I forced a faint smile. “I forgot to hit record.” Mike’s expression instantly soured, his tone dipping into that familiar sharpness. “Unbelievable, June. It’s bad enough you’re too scared to ride, but you can’t even handle a simple camera?” Sabrina immediately stepped between us, playing the savior. “Hey, don’t snap at my little sister. Your punishment is buying us cotton candy—mango for me, strawberry for June.” When Mike jogged back with the spun sugar, Sabrina grinned, leaned in close, and took a bite right out of each cone. It took her several seconds to remember me. She lightly swatted his chest. “How are you even June’s boyfriend? You’re hopeless—June is allergic to mango.” “It’s fine, Sabrina,” I said quietly, taking a small step back. “You can have both.” This time, I truly, genuinely didn’t care. … 1 Whenever the three of us went out, I was always the odd one out. Back home, nothing changed. Whatever Sabrina asked for, Mike delivered without hesitation. A little while later, Sabrina rested her hand casually on Mike’s shoulder. “June, it’s getting late. Why don’t we let Mike crash here tonight? I’ll walk him down to the convenience store to grab some travel toiletries and clean boxers. Don’t worry, I’ll keep him in line.” Mike looked down at her with gentle, adoring eyes and nodded. “Yes, your majesty.” Standing there, I felt like a ghost haunting someone else’s living room. Sabrina had no sense of personal boundaries, and Mike had long since normalized it. When I moved to grab my shoes, Sabrina stopped me, offering her signature sweet smile. “Stay here, June. I’m just testing him for you. It’s for your own good.” “For your own good.” For five years, that phrase had been an invisible leash around my neck. Whenever there was friction, Mike never failed to remind me of my shortcomings while placing Sabrina on a pedestal. It all traced back to our high school finals, when I had suddenly fallen ill with a high fever. Sabrina had supposedly missed her critical scholarship exam because she went out in the rain to get my prescription. Ever since, Mike had weaponized that day against me with endless, passive-aggressive jabs: “If it weren’t for you, your sister wouldn’t have lost her shot at an elite college.” Later that evening, I walked out of my room to get a glass of water, only to find the bathroom door wide open. Sabrina, dressed in a low-cut satin camisole, was leaning over Mike, half her body draped across his chest. Mike was shirtless, a towel slung low around his waist, his torso bare. The room was heavy with steam and flirtatious laughter. “Mike, hold still!” “Sabrina, hurry up… that tickles.” Noticing me frozen in the hallway, Sabrina poked her head out with an easy laugh. “June, don’t get the wrong idea! I’m just helping your boyfriend shave.” Mike’s eyes never left her face. “Who knew there was actually something you weren’t good at, Sabrina?” Sabrina punched his chest with a soft fist. “Shut up, Mike! How dare you criticize me?” She turned toward me, whining playfully. “June, look at him! Come put your boyfriend in his place.” I looked at them, completely detached, and said in a level voice, “Keep it down. Some of us are trying to sleep.” I walked back into my bedroom and shut the door, cutting off the noise. It was only last weekend that I accidentally learned the truth about that exam years ago. Sabrina had plenty of time to take the test that day. She had simply panicked, terrified of falling short of our parents’ impossibly high expectations, and used buying my medicine as an excuse to skip it—letting me carry the blame for the ruined future she never wanted. Because of that lie, my parents had resented me for five whole years, and I had swallowed every bit of guilt in silence. Mike had weaponized it just as ruthlessly, using my supposed debt to force my compliance every single time. In that quiet bedroom, the last shred of my affection died. A family like this, a relationship like this—I didn’t want any of it anymore. I pulled open my laptop with a bitter smile and submitted my résumé to a company based across the country. From now on, I would never stand in their way again. 2 The next morning, the kitchen counter was covered with Sabrina’s favorite pastries. They were sitting close, feeding each other bites and laughing. The second Mike noticed me walking in, his face hardened. “Throwing tantrums in the middle of the night, and now waking up late? There’s none left for you.” Sabrina tapped him with her fork. “Mike, stop being mean to my sister.” She glanced at me. “June, I saved you a custard bun.” I looked down at the paper bag. There was only one left, and a bite had already been taken out of it. It had always been like this. The three of us grew up together, and I was always relegated to the scraps. When Mike threw a massive party for Sabrina’s birthday, he casually dismissed mine by saying, “You ate cake at your sister’s party, so consider yours celebrated.” For five years, burdened by guilt, my parents had never celebrated a single birthday of mine. And now, even the barest hint of affection I had hoped to find in my boyfriend was completely gone. Just as the ache threatened to bubble over, my phone buzzed with an incoming email. It was an interview invitation from a national firm headquartered in another state, offering a preliminary screening at their local branch today. I stared at the screen, deliberately ignoring them. “I have errands to run. I’m heading out.” Mike slammed his fork onto the table. “Don’t eat then. Sabrina, let me pour you some more coffee.” Sabrina opened her mouth to say something, but Mike leaned in, monopolizing her attention. I didn’t look back. I slipped into my shoes and closed the door firmly behind me. The interview went better than I could have hoped. The hiring manager told me they would have an official decision within three days. It was the first piece of good news I had received in five years. The moment I stepped out of the glass office building, my phone vibrated. Mike’s name flashed across the screen. When I answered, his signature demanding tone came through the receiver. “June, where the hell did you storm off to this morning?” “Listen, your writing is decent. Write up a polished résumé for your sister. She doesn’t want people saying she got hired through connections, so this needs to look impeccable.” I let out a slow, steady breath. “Where is she applying?” Mike sounded completely matter-of-fact. “My firm. There’s an opening I think she’d be perfect for. Oh, and I had some flowers delivered to your apartment. Make sure to pick them up.” Another shallow attempt to buy my compliance. When it came to Sabrina, he had no qualms about nepotism. But when I had asked about an internship a few months ago, he had shut me down without hesitation: “June, I just took over this branch. You’re my girlfriend—it wouldn’t look professional.” His rigid professionalism was reserved solely for me. Just like my parents, his devotion belonged entirely to Sabrina. When I didn’t immediately reply, his patience frayed. “June, give me an answer. I need that résumé done today. She’s your sister. You ruined her future—this is the least you owe her.” I closed my eyes for a brief second, feeling the last thread snap. “Mike, let’s break up. I’m not writing that résumé.” The line exploded into furious disbelief. “You’re breaking up with me? June, if your sister hadn’t practically begged me to give you a chance back in college, do you think I would have ever looked your way? I only dated you out of respect for Sabrina, and you have the nerve to be ungrateful—” I ended the call before he could finish. For the first time, he had said the quiet part out loud. Dating me was merely a favor to my sister, an act of charity. His heart had never once leaned toward me. This twisted charade—if he wasn’t tired of performing it, I was certainly tired of watching. From now on, they were welcome to each other. When I returned to the apartment, Sabrina was already waiting in the living room, looking concerned. She must have heard about the call. She reached out and took my hand. “June, I just chewed Mike out for you. He bought you those flowers. Just let it go, okay?” I looked down at the bouquet of white lilies resting on the counter. I had always hated lilies; my favorites were sunflowers. My own boyfriend of years didn’t even know what flowers I liked. I looked away. “They suit you better, Sabrina. You keep them.” 3 Back in my room, I began quietly packing my bags, waiting for the final word. The next morning, the confirmation arrived: I had been hired, with instructions to report to the corporate headquarters out of state immediately. I was in the middle of booking my flight when Sabrina dragged a scowling Mike into my room without knocking. “June, make up already,” Sabrina pleaded softly. “Guess what? I officially got the job at Mike’s company! He’s throwing a welcome mixer for me tomorrow night. You have to come.” Mike crossed his arms, chin lifted in arrogance. “Why are you inviting her, Sabrina? She’s narrow-minded and accomplishes nothing.” Sabrina nudged his arm with her elbow. “Mike, be nice.” Watching them play their practiced good-cop-bad-cop routine, I felt nothing. It would be my last time seeing either of them anyway. And if I refused, Sabrina would only spend the rest of the day badgering me. “Fine. I’ll go,” I said calmly. “Congratulations on the job, Sabrina.” That night, I double-checked my itinerary. The mixer was in the morning; my flight was in the late afternoon. The timing was perfect. The next morning, Mike arrived in a tailored suit, projecting the image of a polished young executive. Sabrina wore an elegant designer cocktail dress he had bought for her, her makeup flawless. The moment he saw her, Mike’s eyes lit up. “Sabrina, you look stunning in that dress.” Then his gaze drifted toward me, his lips tightening with visible distaste. “June, what are you wearing? Are you trying to embarrass me?” I looked down at my simple, neutral outfit and bare face, then gently pushed Sabrina forward. “I always dress like this. Sabrina’s pretty enough to cover for both of us.” Sabrina beamed under the compliment, batting her eyelashes at him. “Come on, Mike, let’s not waste time. Let’s go.” When we reached his car, I slipped naturally into the back seat without a word. We arrived at the banquet hall shortly after. A cluster of employees was waiting near the entrance, their eyes immediately landing on Mike and Sabrina, who walked in arm-in-arm. “Mr. Donovan, is this your girlfriend? She’s gorgeous!” “Right? You two look like a match made in heaven.” “Welcome, Mr. Donovan and Miss Lawson!” Basking in the compliments and envious gazes, Mike smiled with smug satisfaction, never once attempting to correct them. And I, the inconvenient shadow trailing behind, was once again rendered invisible. Perhaps the applause grew too loud, because Sabrina suddenly dipped her head in mock embarrassment, murmuring, “Oh, you’ve got it wrong… June is Mike’s girlfriend. June, come up here!” Suddenly put on the spot, I waved a dismissive hand. “No, Sabrina. This party is for you. You’re the star of the show.” For once, Mike looked at me with a shred of approval. “At least you know your place.” A few nearby staff members caught the exchange, glancing between vibrant Sabrina and plain-looking me with confused expressions. “Wait, I’m confused. Why did the boss bring two women? Are they sisters? Which one is actually his girlfriend?” Just then, Mike’s executive assistant, Lisa, stepped forward, whispering knowingly to the group. “Miss Sabrina, obviously. Whenever I go into his office, he’s on video calls with her, smiling like an idiot. The love is practically dripping from the screen.” “Besides, have you ever seen the boss throw a welcome party this extravagant for any other new hire?” “Oh, and for the mystery gift raffle later, Mr. Donovan personally had me mark the box with the grand prize so it goes straight to Miss Sabrina. Just pretend you don’t know, and don’t touch the marked box.” The female staff members let out soft gasps of envy. “Don’t worry, Lisa, our lips are sealed.” I stood a few paces away, listening to every word, my heart as still as stagnant water. 4 Throughout the event, Mike personally escorted Sabrina around the room, introducing her to senior colleagues and executives. Whenever someone raised a glass to toast her, Mike immediately stepped in to drink on her behalf. His fiercely protective posture drew admiring murmurs from the crowd. Watching him, my mind involuntarily drifted back to our college graduation party, where both Sabrina and I had had a bit too much to drink. Halfway through the night, Mike had rushed into the venue, bypassing me entirely to support Sabrina. “Sabrina, why did you drink so much? Do you want to worry me to death?” Our classmates had looked at each other in awkward silence: “Wait, isn’t Mike supposed to be June’s boyfriend?” I had been left behind, dizzy and nauseous, while Mike gently ushered Sabrina out into his car. Lost in the memory, I didn’t notice a middle-aged manager, clearly intoxicated, stumbling toward me until his hand reached out toward my waist. Instinct took over. I picked up a glass of ice water from the cocktail table and threw it straight into his face. The man, drenched and furious, raised his hand to strike me. “You little bitch! How dare you? I’ll have you fired by Monday!” I dodged backward, my heel catching on the leg of a chair, and fell hard against the floor, pain shooting through my ankle. The commotion drew everyone’s attention. Mike rushed over, his face dark with fury. But instead of asking if I was hurt, his anger was directed entirely at me. “June, what the hell are you doing? Do you have to ruin your sister’s welcome party too?” “Get up right now and apologize to Manager Carlson.” At that moment, the last lingering warmth in my chest froze over. To protect his own fragile pride and reputation, he wouldn’t even extend the barest decency of asking what happened. “I didn’t do anything wrong,” I said, voice trembling with cold rage. “He tried to grope me. He’s the one who owes me an apology.” Carlson put his hands on his hips, slurring indignantly. “Bullshit! Look at you—why would I touch someone like you? Mr. Donovan, this girl is trying to frame me!” Mike’s expression turned icy. “June. Apologize. Don’t make me repeat myself.” I pushed through the sharp pain in my leg and struggled to my feet. “Never.” Mike’s eyes narrowed, truly furious. “Security. Hold her down until she gives Mr. Carlson a proper apology.” Two burly security guards in black suits stepped forward. It seemed they were determined to strip away every last ounce of my dignity before I left. Just as the guards reached me, Sabrina came hurrying over, looking bewildered and distressed. “What’s happening?” She turned to me, grabbing my wrists with an exasperated frown. “June, please, for my sake, just stop causing trouble on my first day.” “Causing trouble.” The words cut like glass. I ripped my hands away from her grip. “So even you think I’m making this up?” Sabrina let out a dramatic gasp, stumbling backward, right into Mike’s waiting arms. He caught her securely, glaring at me with venomous eyes. “June! You dare put your hands on your sister?” Sabrina buried her face in his chest, her voice choked with tears. “June, I know you’re upset that Mike hired me and not you… but back then, I gave up my scholarship exam to take care of you. I threw away my future for you. Can’t you just let this go for once?” The room instantly shifted, whispers of disgust rippling through the crowd. “So she’s that ungrateful sister… Her sister gave up an Ivy League shot for her, and this is how she repays her?” “If I had an older sister like that, I’d worship the ground she walked on.” “She’s just jealous. Bitter because she can’t stand seeing her sister succeed.” “She needs to apologize! Make her apologize!” The chants grew louder, self-righteous and toxic. Standing there alone, surrounded by their hostile glares, I looked at the crowd, then at Mike and Sabrina wrapped around each other, and a cold, sharp laugh escaped my lips. “Fine. I have nothing left to say.” I looked Sabrina dead in the eye. “From this day on, Sabrina, we are done. I don’t owe you a single thing.”
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