"You did this to yourself and you have the nerve to blame your sister?"
"She's just more innocent than you."
"You've humiliated this family. From today on, don't bother coming home."
I became the woman everyone spat on, while Marilyn, safe under our parents' protection, took my place and married Harrison.
The memory alone made my blood boil. So before Greta could explode this time around,
I snatched the microphone from the emcee's hand, gathered my dress, stepped forward, and shoved it right up to Marilyn's lips.
"Say it again. Louder."
The sharpness in my voice hit her like a slap. Marilyn's big doe eyes went perfectly round, and a film of tears pooled on cue.
"Waaah!"
"You're being mean! I'm scared!"
Just like last time, she burst into tears and threw herself into our mother's arms.
Half her face peeked out, stealing a cautious glance at me before she whimpered her accusation:
"I was just being curious. Why are you yelling at me?"
"Unless... you don't want people to find out?"
Right on schedule, the waterworks bought her exactly what she wanted. Our mother patted her back and glared daggers at me:
"What is wrong with you? You know she's timid. Why are you raising your voice at her?"