The Unwanted, The Unstoppable

but I quickly learned my place. I was the workhorse who paid for my perfect twin sister Kristen's life

otting with his. They were arranging for Jason to marry Kr

ryone, Jason got down on one k

one buzzed with a text from

ng me was a mistake. I was just an embarrassment they had to m

tairs and screamed that I had pushed her. My fath

ng police I was a violent attacker. They wanted to erase me,

pte

ses from the amusement park. I was four. For ten years, the foster system was my l

Grah

decade. I gave them every dollar I earned from my two jobs, hoping to buy my way into their

s the golden child, the one who was never lost. She went t

. My boyfriend. He was kind, or so I thought. He

ew, the kind of people with old money and perfect teeth. My own parents were here, mingling

filling champagne flutes. I tried to catch Jason' s eye, but he s

o grab more glasses and I heard their voices. My

boy. So ambitious. A perf

f glasses suddenly feelin

, the Colonel, said, his voice a low

n. "But we convinced him. Kristen is the daughter-in

ut they weren't

father asked, a touch

h. She's... had a difficult life. She' ll understand. She' s not exac

inal. "Jason knows Kristen is the right choice. He'

oat. I couldn't move. I could only listen as

tio, a microphone in his hand. He smiled, a charming, practiced smile that I

mmering under the party lights. She looke

plified for everyone to hear. He dro

lause. I stood behind the hedge, paralyzed, watching my

tray slipped. Glass shattered on the stone p

e not

erfect couple. My parents hugged Jason's parents. Kriste

in my pocket. A

over. My parents thin

en words to er

ran, away from the laughter, away from their perfect, cu

ater. My key scraped in the lock. The living room was dar

their faces flushed wit

smile not quite reaching her eyes

he was probably still celeb

faces. The betrayal wa

ck," I said, my voi

ile vanished. "W

isten's tuition. For her car. For this house

culous, Faith. That was your

ugh escaping my lips. "The family t

rd. He was a big man, and he used his size to intimidate.

he word tasting like poi

said, her voice sharp and cruel. "We gave you a home

se? For sleeping in the smallest room while

"She is a constant source of pride. Yo

ake of lo

ng you," the Colonel

pe that deep down, they loved me. That they were just... flawed. Bu

arch was called off after two years. They had moved on. They had started a new life, a perfect life wi

dreaming of them, th

nally boiled over. It was a hot, cleansing fi

my voice trembling with fury. "You

ent pale. "Who

, broken laugh bubbling up from my

ce was a mask of cold fury. "Kristen needed a normal life. S

fe," I whispered. "You

, as if it were a business transaction. "It elevate

wanted me

blood. They weren't my parents. They were