My Family’s Regret

When we were little, my parents let my sister and me choose a piece of jewelry.

Lying on the table were my mothers gold ring and her silver one.

I chose the gold. My sister chose the silver.

My parents then took me away for a two-day trip. As I lay in the motel bed that night, I overheard them talking.

Shes just too greedy. So calculating for a child. Why cant she be more like her sister?

Well, we cant afford both of them. The sooner shes gone, the less we have to worry about.

I knew what they meant.

Huddled under the covers, I was paralyzed with fear, silent tears streaming down my face.

It was my sister who had told me she was allergic to gold.

She said touching it could kill her. Thats why I let her have the silver one!

I buried that secret deep inside me for over a decade.

Until I was accepted into the local state university.

There, in a crowded lecture hall, I saw my sister again.

The moment I stepped into the classroom, I spotted Olivia Reed.

She had grown up, far more beautiful than I remembered. The clothes she wore were obviously expensive. She must have recognized me too, because she drifted over, a deliberate, cloying warmth in her soft voice.

Youre so pretty. You look just like a friend I had when I was little.

I looked at her perfectly made-up face, and a memory flashed through my mind: Olivia, secretly dabbing on our mothers cheap makeup, then tearfully blaming me when she was caught. Shifting every ounce of blame onto my shoulders.

I didnt look up, my voice barely a whisper.

You mean the sister you got rid of?

Her voice died in her throat.

In my peripheral vision, I saw her freeze for a few seconds. The smile on her face was glued in place, her eyes wide with shock. Her hand, which had been reaching out to me, hovered awkwardly in mid-air.

I ignored her and focused on my textbook.

I found out later that my biological family had struck it rich. They were a world away from the hand-to-mouth existence I remembered.

It took Olivia a long moment to recover, a flicker of something dark crossing her eyes before it vanished.

After class, I was heading back to my small rental apartment when Olivia blocked my path. She leaned against the wall, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Chloe. My parents know were at the same school. They want you to come over for dinner. You wouldnt say no, would you?

Without a second thought, I shook my head.

No, Im busy.

She immediately closed the distance, linking her arm through mine. Its just dinner. Its not like were going to eat you.

I looked at her fake smile and laughed inwardly. I knew exactly why she was so insistent. She wanted to show off. To flaunt her perfect life, to rub my nose in the fact that our parents adored her.

I wanted nothing to do with them.

But she wouldn't let go, her grip tight and cloying. Fine. I agreed.

It was time to make a clean break, once and for all.

She led me to the campus entrance where a silver Maserati was parked.

My eighteenth birthday present, she said, her voice casual but laced with pride. From Mom and Dad. It was only a little over a hundred grand.

Oh, I said, not offering another word. I opened the door, slid inside, and stayed silent.

As the car moved, I stared out the window. It had been twelve years since Id last traveled this road. Back then, I was in the back of a rickety old pickup truck, sobbing my heart out as they drove away without a single glance back.

Now, sitting in a luxury car, I felt nothing but a hollow numbness.

The car pulled up to a sprawling villa. As I stepped out, I saw two facesone achingly familiar, the other completely strange. They had aged, their hair streaked with gray. Their entire demeanor had changed, softened by wealth.

But looking at them, I felt no flicker of emotion.

They stared at me, their gazes fixed and unblinking. The resemblance is uncanny, one of them murmured. She looks just like

Olivia walked over, tucking her arm into her mothers. Mom, Dad, this is Chloe Fisher, the student I was telling you about. Doesnt she look familiar?

Mrs. Reed snapped out of her trance and hurried toward me. She grabbed my hand, her voice overflowing with synthetic warmth.

Come in, come in! Its cold out here.

The inside of the villa was opulent, a palace of marble and crystal chandeliers. A far cry from the drafty shack of my childhood.

Mrs. Reed produced an elegant gift box and held it out to me, her face alight with expectation.

My dear, its our first time meeting, but I wanted to give you a little something. I hope you like it.

I took the box and opened it right there.

Inside was a solid gold ring. Judging by the weight, it must have cost a few thousand dollars.

So, they were replaying their old trick. Trying to stage the same scene all over again.

I handed the box back to her and smiled politely.

Im sorry, Mrs. Reed. Im allergic to gold.

Mrs. Reed froze, her hand hovering in the air. The eager anticipation on her face curdled into confusion. I glanced at Olivia, whose expression was stiff and unnatural.

Mr. Reed quickly stepped in to smooth things over. Thats all right. If youre allergic to gold, well pick something else. Just tell us what you like.

I shook my head. Thats not necessary. I just came for dinner. Ill be leaving right after.

Mrs. Reed opened her mouth, then closed it.

But Olivia muttered just loud enough for me to hear, So pretentious.

We sat down to a table laden with food.

Chloe, I wasnt sure what you liked, so I made a little of everything, Mrs. Reed chirped. I hope you find something you enjoy.

My eyes scanned the table. Roast pork, glazed fishall my childhood favorites. Back then, we were so poor we only had food like this on holidays, and even then, I only got the leftovers.

Thank you, but I prefer spicy food now.

As if she hadnt heard me, she placed a large piece of pork in my bowl.

Eat up. Youre too thin. You need to build yourself up.

I stared at the perfect cut of meat in my bowl and didnt touch my chopsticks.

Whats wrong? she asked, a concerned frown on her face. Dont you like it? She took a bite from the serving platter herself. The taste is fine. Its just like I used to make it.

I put down my chopsticks and cut to the chase.

Lets be honest. You didnt invite me here just for dinner, did you?

The couple exchanged a look, their expressions complex.

Mr. Reed spoke first. Youre overthinking it. We just wanted to have a meal with you.

I wasnt a fool. I knew what this was about. But twelve years was a long time. Some things couldnt be undone.

I know youve guessed who I am, and I wont deny it. I was once your daughter, I said, my voice even. But I sincerely hope you wont try to interfere in my life again. Lets just consider this our last meal together.

Mrs. Reed grabbed my hand, her voice urgent. Sunny, we

I pulled my hand away, cutting her off. My name is Chloe. Not Sunny.

The name Sunny died the day they sent me away.

Suddenly, Mr. Reeds face hardened. Is that any way to talk to your parents? he demanded, his voice rising. Your mother was up at dawn, cooking and thinking about you all morning. And this is how you repay her?

A bitter, humorless laugh escaped my lips. I fought back the wave of grief and anger that threatened to overwhelm me.

And did you ever do right by me?

My question silenced them.

Olivia chimed in from the side, her voice dripping with sarcasm. You fought so hard to get back here. We all know what youre really after. Who do you think youre fooling with this righteous act?

Olivia, thats enough! Mrs. Reed hissed.

Olivia pouted. What? Am I wrong? This is who she is!

I was done arguing. I stood up to leave.

Stop!

Mr. Reed called out. He pulled a bank card from his wallet and tossed it on the table in front of me. Theres fifty thousand dollars on that. For your college expenses.

I didnt even look at it. I walked out of the villa without a backward glance, leaving everything behind me.

I heard Mrs. Reed start to follow, but Olivia stopped her.

Mom, dont you see? Its not enough for her. She wants so much more than that!

Mr. Reeds voice was cold and hard. Giving her up was the best decision I ever made.

I heard every word. I told myself not to care, not to let it hurt. But a sharp pain twisted in my chest, tight and suffocating.

Was that really how they saw me? As something cheap and manipulative?

All I wanted was to live my life in peace. Was that so wrong?

I got back to my apartment and collapsed on the sofa, trying to let the emotional and physical exhaustion wash over me.

Suddenly, the bedroom door burst open and three masked men rushed out.

They moved fast. One clamped a hand over my mouth, stifling my scream. Another grabbed my arms, his grip brutal, and started tearing at my clothes. The third one held up a phone, a sick grin on his face, snapping pictures and spewing disgusting filth.

After the photos, they moved to assault me.

My vision turned red. I fought back with everything I had. I remembered the small fruit knife I kept tucked under the sofa cushion for protection.

My hand found it. I pulled it free and slashed wildly.

Get out! All of you, get out! I screamed, my voice raw. If you dont get out, Ill kill you!

At first, they laughed, trying to wrestle the knife from me. But my desperation gave me strength. I was a cornered animal. One of them yelped as the blade sliced his arm. Cursing, they finally backed off and fled.

My hands shaking, I bolted the door and checked every corner of the apartment. Only when I was sure I was alone did I sink to the floor, my clothes in tatters.

And then, the tears finally came.

I called the police that night, thinking the worst was over.

It wasn't until I opened my phone the next morning that I realized it had just begun.

The universitys online forum was flooded with my pictures.