I’m Raising My Sister’s Kid, but My Parents Still Hate Me –

By age five, it was clear my parents favored my older sister, Madeline. While her birthdays were grand celebrations, mine were nearly forgotten. I often took the blame for her misdeeds and learned to fend for myself. As I grew up, Madeline contributed nothing at home, while I was burdened with chores and scolded for minor mistakes.

When I was 16, Madeline announced her pregnancy, and our parents were thrilled—until she revealed her plan for an abortion. They were devastated, but my father quickly offered support and volunteered me to help care for her child. After her son, Brandon, was born, Madeline mostly ignored him, leaving me to take full responsibility while our parents showed little interest.

I dropped out of high school to care for Brandon but continued my studies independently, determined to earn my G.E.D. and leave home. Just before my 18th birthday, Madeline announced she was leaving for a biker named Zak, abandoning her son without a second thought. Our parents did nothing to intervene, and I realized I was on my own.

Once I turned 18, I saved enough to move out with Brandon. I worked part-time and took online college courses, building a better future for us. A few years later, I met Dallas, a law student who loved Brandon and supported my dreams.

Madeline returned, demanding to see Brandon, but Dallas intervened, helping me adopt him legally. When she returned with our parents to reclaim him, they left empty-handed. It turned out Madeline only wanted Brandon for government benefits, and she disappeared again.

Thanks to Dallas, I secured a stable life for Brandon. I may not have received love from my family, but I found my own supportive community. Brandon will never experience the neglect I did, and for that, I am grateful.