Chapter 3 - The Price of Disappointment
I let his ridiculous demand hang in the quiet air.
He actually expected me to fund my bully's extravagant wedding.
"Let me get this straight," I said calmly.
"You lied to your friends about paying my tuition."
"You lied to Mom about it."
"You threatened to cut off money you weren't even giving me."
"And now you want me to bail you out of debt?"
My father puffed out his chest.
"I am your father, Maya!"
"Family helps family!"
"That is exactly right," I agreed.
"Which is why you should ask your golden child to help you."
His face fell.
"Olivia doesn't have that kind of money."
"Olivia hasn't worked a day in her life," I corrected him.
"She spends her days shopping and making me the butt of her jokes."
"Well, you're the successful one now," he reasoned desperately.
"Yes, I am," I smiled.
"And I became successful despite you, not because of you."
I took a step closer to him.
"I am not giving you a single dime, Dad."
"Not for this wedding."
"Not for your country club fees."
"And definitely not for Olivia."
He looked at me as if I had just slapped him.
"You selfish brat," he sneered.
"After everything we have done for you."
"You gave me a roof and basic necessities until I was eighteen," I said.
"That is the legal requirement of a parent."
"It is not a debt that I have to repay."
I turned around to walk back to the reception.
"If you walk away now, you are no longer part of this family!" he shouted.
I stopped in my tracks.
I slowly looked over my shoulder.
"Don't threaten me with a good time, Dad."
I left him standing alone in the dark hallway.
When I returned to the ballroom, the reception was in full swing.
The DJ was playing loud pop music.
Guests were drinking heavily from the open bar.
I returned to Table 42.
Cousin Greg handed me a fresh glass of champagne.
"Everything okay?" he asked.
"Never better," I answered.
Suddenly, the music stopped.
The sharp tapping of a spoon against a crystal glass rang out.
It was time for the speeches.
Olivia’s maid of honor, a toxic girl named Chloe, took the microphone.
She swayed slightly, heavily intoxicated.
"I just want to say how much I love Olivia," Chloe slurred into the mic.
"She is the most beautiful, perfect bride."
"And she is so forgiving."
Chloe’s eyes scanned the room until they locked onto me.
May you like
"She even invited people who try to steal her spotlight."
The entire room fell dead silent.
