I stepped into the elevator and watched the doors seal shut.
My vision blurred. I blinked the tears back.
Outside, the hotel's LED screen blazed:
[Congratulations to the Whitmore Family's Daughter: Top Scorer & Newest Executive!]
The Whitmore family's daughter.
I stared at the words until a rushing waiter collided with me.
"Sorry! The guest in 606 needs another cake—the father wants it twice as grand."
Room 606. Vanessa's party.
"Why another one?" I asked.
"Family dispute ruined the first." He lowered his voice. "The father's restarting the celebration. Very proud. His daughter got into a Fortune 500 company."
I smiled bitterly.
I had ranked first in the provincial civil service exams. Secured a position at the IRS.
No one in my family had asked. No one cared.
I walked back to my apartment and spent the day in a daze.
That night, Vanessa updated her feed. A video: Richard, Margaret, and Vanessa surrounded by relatives, posing before a towering cake. Vanessa flashed a peace sign.
The caption: 【Thank you, Mom and Dad, for always being my shelter.】
I turned off my phone.
That weekend, I didn't go home. Instead, I drove to the University District.