---- In her final moments, our mother made him promise: to protect me always, to guard what was mine, and to never let harm come my way. "T remember. But now Rose is my sister too. If I split the love meant for you and give half to her, that's not unreasonable, is it? Grace, stop being so selfish." Jones sighed. "You should learn from. Rose. Look how kind and thoughtful she is." I let out a bitter laugh. "Listen to me, Jones. You're not using Mom's inheritance to curry favor with Rose. If you want to shower her with gifts, go ahead and use Dad's side of the family fortune. I won't stop you." Jones mumbled something under his breath. I tossed the shredded documents in the trash and headed upstairs. "Don't forget, Mom's death anniversary is ina few days." ---- "Of course not," Jones said awkwardly. ''You get some rest. I've got work to do." I didn't respond. That night, I stayed up cleaning the house, clearing away everything tied to the memories between the three of us. Photos were burned. What could be thrown out was tossed. What could be given away, I packed and sent to the orphanage. All that remained was this house-a home soaked in memories. It was the only asset my father had when he chose to bond with my mother. After her death, neither my brother nor I could bring ourselves to move. My father had left to live with Rose's mother. Jones came home less and less. Kyle used to visit me every day. Now, even he was gone. ---- I fell asleep on the rooftop, clutching a photo of Mom, my tears finally pulling me under. The day after my birthday was the anniversary of my mother's death. She had been terminally ill but held on just long enough to see me through one more birthday before she passed. I'd cried my heart out back then. Kyle stayed by my side day and night, afraid I'd break down. He never missed a single birthday since. Until this year. Eight years passed in the blink of an eye, and this was the first year he didn't show up. Alas, I no longer cared. The night of my birthday, Rose's social feed lit up like fireworks. "Couldn't think of a reason to celebrate, so Kyle said, 'Let's throw a party for my kitten's birthday ", Hahaha! In fact, he just wanted an excuse to ---- have cake!" There she was, beaming beside an expensive two- tier cake, a champagne tower gleaming, and flowers, balloons, and gifts all around her. She looked up at Kyle with eyes full of affection. He smiled back, soft and gentle, like they were made for each other. Flipping my phone face down on the table, I clasped my hands together, closed my eyes, and made a wish against the candlelight. "Mom... I miss you so much. Please watch over me. Let everything go smoothly from now on. And please, let these people stay the hell out of my life. "