Chapter 5

Maybe my lack of reaction disappointed her.

Jade's smirk faltered. "You're not even going to yell?"

When we were kids, I fought for my space.

But all I got was: "You're the older sister, Pearl. Can't you just let her have it?"

Now that I was leaving, there was nothing left to fight for.

I grabbed my suitcase and turned around.

Dad was blocking the hallway, his face dark.

"Pearl, you think you've got wings now, huh? You think we can't touch you?"

"Are you trying to run away to scare us?"

"No," I said, my voice completely flat. "Since you aren't paying for my college, I have to go find a job."

"What is that supposed to mean? You think we owe you something?" Dad bellowed.

"You wanted to dance, so we paid $1,500 a year for eight years of classes, even when your teacher told us you had zero talent! We never stopped you!"

"And your clothes! You're the only one complaining about 'itchy fabric,' so we had to buy you special outfits. That's hundreds of dollars!"

"Your food, your pointe shoes—you asked me for $800 just last semester! Do you have any idea how much you cost us?"

He listed every dollar like a debt collector.

My ears started ringing.

"Pearl, where is your goddamn conscience?"

My eyes burned, but I forced the tears back. "I'll pay you back. Every single cent."

Dad stepped forward and slapped me across the face.

The force of it spun my head around.

"With what job? You failed your auditions! You're nothing!"

"Why can't you be sensible like Jade for once in your life?!"

My cheek burned like fire.

Jade rushed over, fake tears spilling from her eyes as she grabbed my arm. "Pearl, stop making Dad mad!"

"They do everything for us. I never tried to take anything from you!"

She never had to try. Everything was handed to her on a silver platter.

I shoved her off me.

I barely used any force, but Jade stumbled back, crying out as if I had struck her.

Mom instantly shielded Jade, glaring at me like I was a monster. "Both of you are my daughters! How could you think I don't love you equally?"

"Pearl, you are a massive disappointment."

But I knew the truth. Some daughters are just worth more than others.

I turned around, opened the door, and walked out.

Behind me, Dad's voice roared through the hallway: "If you walk out that door, don't you dare ever come back!"

I pulled out my phone and booked a one-way train ticket to New York.

"I won't," I whispered.