My Life as an Adopted One

It is a busy day at the Rouges' residence as tonight is the coming of age celebration of Chantal, the youngest daughter of the family. I was told to come, but of course, I knew that they just did it so we can appear as the 'happy family' every one knows about and none of them really cares about my whereabouts. So as everyone was eating breakfast and busy giving Chantal their attention, I was there, sitting quietly, knowing that I, a mere adopted daughter have no rights to join in. "Ah, Ashanti, this big brother, had prepared you a costume for later!" Nolan, our big brother's said, obviously mocking. Mom then hits him jokingly. "Oh Nolan, that's so sweet! You better found the right size for that size of hers." Her voice is laced with sweet sarcasm. Already used to comments like that, I just nodded and continued eating, but as if testing my obedience, dad slides his unfinished food towards me. "Finish it for me, I already lost my appetite." He commanded, his eyes daring me to say no, so once again, I just nodded and did so. Dad's devious laugh then echoed at the dining room, now accompanied by mom's and big brother's mocking laughter, while Chantal smirks at me as I finish dad's food. "Ah, look at you! Pigging up some more! Say cheese, Ashanti!" Nolan said, capturing me with the empty plates. Of course, Chantal didn't miss the opportunity to act like some innocent good girl and suddenly tugs on Nolan's shirt. "Ah! That's not good, big brother! Mom, Dad. Please stop him from posting it on socials!" She commanded to our parents and of course, they obliged. "Chantal is right, Nolan, it's not good to post something disturbing. Looking at her is already disgusting, what more if people can see her with those plates." Dad said, growling as he looked at me. Mom nods, agreeing. "She's just a sore for eyes and your followers, son." She sneered, earning a subtle grin on Chantal's face and that was my cue to leave. "Please excuse me, I think I got to go to the toilet." I murmured, gently standing up. Nolan scoffs. "Oh no need to excuse yourself! You're free to leave!" He said, and I went. Then, I locked myself in my room, finally getting the chance to breathe. "18 years... This has been going on for 18 years, yet nothing has changed. They still made me feel that I am a no one, and will never be actually one of them." I told myself as I sighed. "If only this life of mine gets some plot twist, maybe I could feel a bit more alive." I added as I felt my heartache. All these years, I have been a puppet to all of them, a mere pawn and a laughingstock, even their pet peeve, that I barely acknowledge myself as a human anymore. But they will never see my pain, because there was Chantal, the two-face 'real' heiress, who loves them for being her own pawns to make my life miserable. Back when I was a kid, I had this nanny, she was the one who told me about my adoption and how I ended being worthless to this family after Chantal was born. She told me that I should be strong because it will probably change over the years, if I was a good girl and I believed that and that's exactly how I ended up like this pushover I am. I have remained in the honor roll since preparatory up to now I am graduating in highschool, but my parents never attended any of the recognition ceremony, because they were busy attending to Chantal's extracurricular activities to support her and I think that is actually why it has the confidence to bully me, because she knows exactly how they love her and whatever she does, will always be right to them, and I will always be in the wrong. My head reeled at every awful thing I had to put up with them, not knowing that something big is about to unfold tonight, not just for the birthday girl, Chantal, but also for me. -- Evening comes and the mansion was already beaming with pretty lights and decorations. There was also a booming sound system, keeping the ambiance festive, but I can't find myself joining the atmosphere, as this kind of crowd was the perfect trigger for Chantal's bullying and I wasn't careful, the world just might know what kind of person she really is. If I think of it, maybe it was better to happen, but I am not that petty, I at least want this debut of her to go perfect, because I never got to celebrate one, just because she wasn't feeling better and had to be admitted. But the fate had a different plan on how tonight will play out, because at the middle of the party, where mom and dad was delivering their speech, a huge gift was delivered. Of course, Chantal was raring to open it, but her face changed when her eyes see the gift card. "What do you mean it is not for me! It's my birthday, not Ashanti's!" She yelled out loud, earning surprised gasps from the guests, but she didn't care. Instead, she forcefully opened the box. The guests were looking at her now, disappointed, and as mom, dad and big brother was frozen at her sudden temper, so I knew I had to do my job as an elder sister. "Chantal, can we keep calm? Everyone is watching you now. It will not be good if this goes on." I warned her gently as I hold on to her shoulder, but she was so angry and forcefully shoved me to the side. Her push was already hard and as I am chubby, it unabled me to maintain my balance, making me fall of the stage as she kept opening that mysterious gift and as the chaos continued, the phones and camera of the guest started rolling, capturing Chantal's outburst. But that doesn't end there, because the lights suddenly go off and a video played at the prompter, where an old man dressed in a sharp suit appeared in some kind of office. The guests, our parents and big brother all let out a surprised gasp, making me know that he is some big shot. "Ah, hello everyone! I don't need to introduce myself now, don't I? but I had to for my princess, Ashanti..." It said with a loving and tender smile. "Hey, sweetheart! I know you don't know me, because you were taken away by some bad guys when you were a baby. Daddy had been looking for you, and finally, I had found you." It said, all calm despite of the big revelation it just dropped. "When I heard from my investigator that you were in the family of Rouges' I thought, you're doing fine, but its reports told me that you weren't... I had my eyes and ears around you, my baby, and I learn of it all, and daddy is making a promise, I'll take you back." It said, and just like that, the video ended and the lights were back on. Now the attention are all in me, while I was still unable to move from that fall, and when I looked back at my parents, and big brother, they all looked at me, as if horrified, but not with me but someone else. Then amidst their intense stares at me, Chantal let out a winning shriek disrupting the tension as she finally opened the box. In it was another two boxes, one with my name on it and one was Chantal's, both of us curious.