Mia is tired of being second best, living in the shadow of her stepsister, Isabella. After her 16th birthday, when her mother reveals that Isabella does indeed receive more attention, Mia runs away to her aunt, who tells her the truth.Growing up, I always felt like the odd one out in my own home, unlike my vibrant, colorful stepsister, Isabella,

My mother, Selena, has always been a complete mystery to me. When I was younger, I remember her doting on me. But as I grew, things quickly changed. Instead, she showered Isabella with affection and praise, leaving me to bask in the leftover attention. And it wasn’t just in my head. The evidence was present in every aspect of our lives: family outings, birthdays, even casual dinners,

My mother went out of her way to ensure Isabella’s preferences were front and center. It had been like that for most of my life. My wishes? They seemed more like afterthoughts, barely acknowledged and quickly forgotten. “Are you sure it’s not a jealousy thing?” my friend Rachel asked me. “Sibling rivalry is common, after all.” “I’m sure it isn’t. Isabella and I actually have a somewhat good relationship. It’s just my mom,” I replied. As we got older,

the disparity in treatment only grew more pronounced. Isabella’s achievements were celebrated with enthusiasm—often resulting in fresh flowers and a cake, just for Isabella. And my achievements? They were acknowledged, yes, but with a subdued, almost mechanical response. “Well done, Mia,” my mother would say, barely looking at me. Tom, my stepfather, would smile solemnly at me. I felt like an outsider in my own family—my successes mere footnotes compared to Isabella’s chapters of glory. Evenwhen Isabella joined cheerleading at school, my mother went into my closet and took out my old uniform and pompoms, ready to lavish her favorite child with more. But this wasn’t the only thing. My mother’s leniency with Isabella was another thorn in my side. Common curfews and rules were malleable around her, her mistakes met with swift and forgiving resolutions. Meanwhile, I faced the full brunt of discipline. Then, my 16th birthday came around. What should have been a celebration for me, a day where I could feel special, was overshadowed yet again by Isabella.