My Parents Sold My Future For Her Convenience Chapter 01

My Parents Sold My Future For Her Convenience Chapter 01

The day SAT scores came out, my mother, Margaret, 

actually carried a plate of fruit into my room. 

Before I could even feel happy about it, I heard her words. 

“Your father and I talked it over. We want you and Bianca 

to apply to the same college and major.” 

“That way, you can keep looking out for her through 

college. And it’ll be easier for us when we pick you 

for breaks.” 

both up 

I looked up in disbelief. 

“Mom, I got a 1580 and Bianca only got 1050. You seriously 

want us to go to the exact same college?” 

My mother’s face went cold. She frowned at me like I was 

being unreasonable. 

“If you’re really that good a student, it doesn’t matter 

which college you go to.” 

“Enough. Don’t make a scene. Your father and I have 

already decided.” 

Before she could turn and leave, I spoke up. 

“What if I say I don’t agree?” 

She didn’t even look back. Her voice was certain. 

“Then don’t expect a single cent of tuition from us.” 

I stood there, my body trembling beyond my control. 

My lips parted and closed for a long time. Finally, I asked 

the question I’d buried for years. 

“Mom, Bianca’s your daughter. So am I not your daughter 

too?” 

The woman walking away didn’t answer. She just slammed 

the door so hard the whole room shook. 

Through the wall, I could still hear her complaining to 

someone. 

“I only asked her to go to the same college as her sister, 

and she acts like I’m torturing her.” 

“I’ve never once skimped on her meals or anything all 

these years! The nerve of her asking if she’s even our 

daughter hurt my heart something awful!” 

“Besides, it’s just common sense for an older sister to look 

out for her little sister. She’s the only one so spoiled, 

always picking fights with her sister.” 

My nails dug into my palms. I dropped my head and 

forced a bitter smile. 

It was always the same speech, my whole life. Because I 

was the older sister, I had to be sensible. I had to give in to 

my sister. 

So the good food always went to Bianca first. New clothes 

always went to Bianca first. 

Even when she tore up my certificates or cut up my dresses, I wasn’t allowed to say a word against it: 

But Mom, I was only born an hour earlier than she was. 

In the dark room, backlit and suffocating, I hugged myself 

and sat in silence for a long, long time. 

Finally, I picked up my phone and made a call. 

“Mr. Wale, the university you mentioned before can I still 

apply?” 

He was excited. 

“Of course, Celia! You finally agreed. They came to us specifically because of your competition record.” 

“They’re offering a full ride! Tuition, fees, everything. 

People would kill for this spot.” 

“Hold on, let me go tell them the news.” 

After I hung up, I smiled. Something in my chest felt 

suddenly lighter. 

Like the worm that had been gnawing at my heart since 

childhood had finally lost its food source. 

My phone buzzed. I opened it, a text from my older brother, Riven. 

A Venmo notification for $702, followed by a 

pat–on–the–head emoji. 

[Way to go, Celia! Pulling off such an amazing score really 

makes me proud!] 

My chest warmed. I wiped the tears off my face and texted 

back: [Thanks, Riven.] 

He replied fast: 

[Just pulled up to the house. Open up! Got surprises for 

you and Bianca!] 

I cracked my bedroom door open and peeked out. 

In the living room, my mother Margaret was shoving a giant bowl of washed cherries into Bianca’s hands in a hurry. 

“Hurry up, take these to your room and eat them in secret.” 

“If your greedy sister sees them, there won’t be any left for you.”