Forgotten daughter

-- I was 8 years old when I learned my father didn’t want me. Not with words. With silence. Ten years ago, my father Daniel walked out on us for another woman. Her name was Clare. I was just a little girl. All I wanted was for Mom and Dad to love me. My mom, Lisa Daniel, found out he was cheating. So one afternoon she took me to his office. Dad and Mom talked. I sat in the corner, pretending to sketch a bracelet adorned with diamonds. I was quite talented for my age. Mom asked if he had to go. He said yes. “Mom, what’s wrong?” I asked. “Nothing, baby. Just a meeting,” she said. The next weeks were quiet. Dad was never around. Mom cried softly at night. I wasn’t stupid. I was smart. I made her tea. I made her smile. Until one day Mom told me, “We’re going for an important business meeting.” In that office was Auntie Katie Prince. She was Mom’s lawyer. While I pretended to sketch mermaids, I heard everything. “Put it all in Cassie’s name,” Mom said. “The hotels, the restaurants, the jewelry shops, the stone company, the car company, and all the real estate. Even the villa on Broad Street. It’s worth 3 billion dollars.” Auntie Katie nodded. “It’s about time, Lisa. I’m proud of you, girl.” “Thank you for always supporting me, Katie,” Mom said. “Remember this with all your heart. I have money stashed away in case things go south. Let Cassie live. Do you hear me?” “Yes,” Auntie Katie whispered. “Good,” Mom said. “I don’t want Daniel to get a dime. Not one cent.” “Come on, Cassie. Let’s get ice cream,” Mom said and held my hand. “Mom?” I asked. “Why do you sound strange?” “It’s nothing, baby,” she said. “I just don’t want your dad to touch any of my assets, okay? Promise me.” “I promise,” I said. That was July 4th. 3:30pm. Clare was waiting. She saw Mom crossing the road with an ice cream cone in her hand. Miss Vera Michael and her grandson Kyle were crossing too. Mom was familiar with the Michaels. She smiled. “Hi, Mrs. Vera,” I said. “Hi, Kyle.” Kyle ignored me. He always teased me in school. He was older than me. “Mom, my ice cream—” The car came fast. I remember screaming. The ice cream falling to the ground. All four of us got hit. When I woke up in the hospital, the doctor told me. Mom and Miss Vera didn’t make it. I didn’t cry. I only turned my head to see Kyle sleeping in the next bed. That was the day I lost my mother. That was the day I became the Forgotten Daughter. But they forgot one thing. I own 3 billion dollars now.