Chapter 49 Memories

"You and them are family. I am not," Sierra said. "Sierra, it's not like that…" Vera hurried to explain, but Sierra's cold voice cut her off. "Then, Mom, tell me this—why was Xavier surrounded by love and attention from both parents while I was abandoned the moment I was born? "Why did my father refuse to acknowledge me? Why, every year for Xavier's birthday, did you carefully prepare gifts, but on mine, I'm just forgotten? My birthday is only ten days after Xavier's, but none of you remember that." As Sierra spoke, her emotions began to overwhelm her, and her eyes welled up with tears. Vera shifted uncomfortably under her gaze, her throat tight, unable to respond. The room fell into an oppressive silence. Sierra forced her gaze upward, fighting to hold back the tears that threatened to spill over. "Actually, when I was six years old, I understood… I was the unwanted child." Some children were born to be loved, and then there were children like Sierra. She had been unwanted b