My heart hammered as I placed the certificate on the living room table, right where they couldn't miss it. I didn't need a gift. I just wanted a smile. A hug. Good job, Savannah.
Instead, Mom's hand cracked across my face.
The sting was sharp, immediate, blinding. I stumbled back, clutching my cheek, staring at her in horror.
"Don't you know your sister failed her exam?" Mom screeched, her face twisted with disgust. "How dare you show off your grades? You did this on purpose to humiliate her!"
Dad didn't defend me. He sneered, eyes cold. "Exactly. So young, yet so vain. Your thoughts are dark, Savannah. Always scheming."
Vain. Scheming.
The words nailed me to the floor. I opened my mouth to defend myself, but no sound came out.
Dad snatched the certificate from the table. Without breaking eye contact, he ripped it down the middle, then tore it again and again until my hard work was nothing but confetti on the floor.
He raised his hand, letting the shredded paper drift to the floor like snow. Watching the confetti fall, Lily finally stopped crying. A smile broke through her tears, triumphant and cruel.
Memories of the injustice clawed at me.