“Because, Mom, you only ever called me when you needed someone to babysit Olivia’s dog or fix your internet connection.”

I adjusted the strap of my designer clutch, standing tall and completely unaffected by their collective shock.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I believe I was assigned a seat in the back with the distant cousins.

Without waiting for a response, I turned on my black stilettos and walked past them into the grand ballroom.

I left my entire toxic family standing in the lobby, completely paralyzed by a success they could no longer control.

Chapter 2 - The Back Table

The main ballroom was a massive, opulent space filled with cascading white orchids, crystal centerpieces, and hundreds of wealthy guests.

I navigated the maze of round tables, ignoring the curious glances from family friends who had likely been told I was a struggling college dropout.

I finally found Table 42, tucked away in the darkest corner of the room, positioned right next to the swinging kitchen doors.

It was exactly the kind of passive-aggressive insult I had expected from Olivia, designed to make me feel small and insignificant.

But as I sat down in the velvet chair, smoothing out the fabric of my sleek emerald dress, I felt nothing but absolute peace.

I poured myself a glass of sparkling water from the pitcher on the table, enjoying the chaotic energy radiating from the front of the room.

My distant cousin, Greg, a quiet accountant who was also shunned by the family’s inner circle, sat down next to me with a sigh.

“They put you in the exile zone too, huh?” Greg joked, loosening his tie and looking around at our terrible view of the stage.

“I actually prefer it back here, Greg,” I replied with a genuine smile.

“The air is a lot less toxic when you aren’t sitting directly next to the source.”

Before Greg could ask what I meant, the grand double doors swung open, and the wedding planner practically shoved the bridal party into the room.