Her Neglect, My Undying Haunted Soul

raham

y father, a brief, passionate affair that left Hilda pregnant and disgraced. A scandal. Iain, ever the opportunist, married Hilda

scandal, resented my very existence. I was a constant reminder of her youthful indiscretion, a living testament to her

y started their "real" family soon after. Kellan, Iain's biological son from a previous marriage, arrived, and Hilda poured all her maternal instincts into him. Then,

as the outsider, the inconvenient trut

voice tight, a hint of genuine worry finally seeping thr

Now. Before dinner. If she's not here, the

Can we just eat? I'm sure she'll turn up eventually. Sh

o be loved, Hilda. Something you' ve never been able to give her. No

ssal, the desperate calls. She skipped over the part where Carina had accused

graduation. We couldn't make it, you see. Carina had a terrible allergic reaction, abso

graduation? Hilda, how could you? That's a milestone! A

ation entered her eyes. She pictured Carina, fragile and perfect,

, ever the peacekeeper, cleared his throat. "Dinner i

at, but the battle was far from over. Hilda, seeing a momentary r

ee, Mother!" she chir

. "Hilda, you know my health. I need to be careful. Unlike others..." Her gaz

g of health, Hilda, do you ever think about Eva? Do y

t, Mother? Eva never gav

eys failed, and everyone else was a mismatch. Eva, your own flesh and blood, don

u talking about? Carina donated her marrow!

You're trying to turn me against Carina! You always hated her,

s blazing. "You fool, Hilda

r, her eyes wide with manufactured fear. Tears welled up in her eyes. "Grand

ective embrace. "See, Mother? You're upsetting her! You always try

, Mother, or you can leave!" H

s true, Mother. It was alw

, from letting Carina take the credit. But I had begged her to keep my secret. I wanted my mother's love to be pure, unburd

cult upbringing, had conceded. She had watched, heartbroken, as Hilda showered

, pouring out her love and adoration. My sacrifice, my pai

poken truth hanging heavy in the air. As Hilda esc

hed with my nam