chapter 24

Julie

Shopping with my mother was unexpectedly delightful. Laughter echoed through the aisles as we playfully teased each other about our choices. It was a stark contrast to my childhood, where moments of joy were scarce. Sara, my older sister, had been my solace in those times, the one who played with me when my parents seemed indifferent.

Reflecting on my past, a cloud of sadness lingered. I recalled the feeling of being overlooked, as if I were a mistake my parents never wanted. The dynamics shifted when I turned 15; my father's gaze morphed into one filled with unsettling disdain. Despite sharing my concerns with my mother, she brushed it off, urging me to let it be. The lingering question of why he looked at me that way remained, unsettling me.