(Olivia)
Standing beside Mr. Hargrove, his hand was still on my shoulder, I felt a rise of strength I hadn’t known was inside me. The strength to look into my adoptive parents' eyes, people who had torn me down for years, and stand my ground. But just as I was ready to walk away, Lila stepped forward, her face flushed and her voice trembling.
"Olivia, please," She started, her tone surprisingly soft, almost desperate.
"I… we didn't mean anything by it. You know how we can be. It was a misunderstanding." I looked at her, feeling nothing but the years of bitterness, betrayal, and empty promises sting deep within me.
"A misunderstanding?" I asked.
"Is that what you call treating me like I’m nothing? Dismissing me, mocking me at every chance you get?” My adoptive mother looked away, wri
