Chapter 1 THE UNWANTED DAUGHTER!

MIA'S POV:

I parked in front of the house I used to call home, my hands gripping the steering wheel too tight. But it didn't feel like home anymore-maybe it never really had. I let out a long breath. My old Peugeot made a strange sound, like it was just as tired of the trip as I was. It had been through a lot, just like me.

The house stood there, quiet and cold, full of memories I didn't want to think about. I tried to push those thoughts away and made myself get out of the car. The air felt heavy the moment I stepped inside.

As soon as I walked through the door, my mother's voice cut through the silence.

"Well, finally, the daughter of my husband shows up."

Her words stung, but I didn't even have time to react before my father spoke from the dining table.

"Mia, you know I hate driving at night. And here you are, coming in late in that old Peugeot. Don't you think about how dangerous that is?"

"I had to finish some work at the mall," I said, walking over to the table. My voice was flat, tired. I sat down in my usual spot-the one at the end, far from everyone else. I liked it there. It was easier to stay quiet, to stay unnoticed.

Then, of course, she arrived.

"Mum, I'm here!" Prisca Winslow said, walking in like she was the main event. My stepsister. The favorite. The one who could never mess up.

She looked perfect, as always. Her makeup was flawless, her clothes neat and stylish. She had that natural confidence I could never copy. I sat there in my plain skirt and blouse, trying to disappear. I adjusted my glasses and stared straight ahead.

"My baby!" Mum said, rushing over to hug Prisca tightly-the kind of hug I never got.

"You look stunning, sweetheart," she said, her voice full of praise. So full it made me feel sick. She'd never said that to me. Not once. But I'd always wanted her to.

I thought I'd be used to it by now. But the pain still hit me. That quiet kind of hurt that never really leaves.

I could expect this from Mum-she had always treated Prisca better. But Dad... he was supposed to be different. And yet, as Prisca walked over to him, he gave her a smile I had wished for my whole life. A smile that hurt to see. She ran into his arms, and he hugged her like she was the best thing that ever happened to him. Like she was his only child.

He didn't even say a word about her being late.

Something tightened in my chest, like someone had reached in and squeezed my heart. I swallowed hard, pretending I didn't feel the sting. I was his daughter too. So why did he act like I was just... there?

"Mia," Prisca's voice cut through my thoughts like a knife wrapped in glitter. "What have you been eating? You look heavier than last time."

I looked straight at her, not blinking. "Food," I said, calm and steady.

She gave a smug little smile, then turned away like I didn't matter.

"Babe," she called sweetly, her tone suddenly soft. I followed her gaze toward the door-and there he was. Tall, sharp suit, nice smile. Handsome, in a clean, polished kind of way. The kind of guy who never looked twice at girls like me.

All I had was Martin. A guy who thought his broken guitar and garage band dreams made him special. Spoiler: they didn't.

"Hope you found parking okay," Prisca said to the guy, voice full of honey. "We're a little tight on space."

"Mum, this is Luca. My boyfriend," she added with that glowing smile, the kind that made everyone lean in like she was made of light.

"Hello, everyone," Luca said smoothly, sliding into the seat beside her like he belonged.

And just like that, the whole room shifted. Every word, every glance, every bit of attention clung to Prisca. Her love life. Her success. Her beauty. It was like I'd disappeared.

"If I were you, I'd eat less," Mum said suddenly, her eyes locked on me as I reached for the food. "No man wants a girl who can't control herself. You'll never get married like that."

The air seemed to freeze around me. My stomach twisted. Still, I didn't let my face show anything.

"Look at your sister," she went on, voice soaked in poison. "She's already bringing someone home. What about you? Who's going to want you when you're always stuffing your face?"

My fingers clenched around the fork. I wasn't even hungry anymore. I had been starving before this-literally hadn't eaten all day. But now? I just felt sick.

They didn't know. They never asked. They didn't care.

If I could have skipped this monthly nightmare, I would have. But here I was again, sitting in my usual spot, playing my usual role. The extra. The shadow. The unwanted daughter no one saw.