The party grew more extravagant every week. My parents spent $87,000 on Derek�s graduation celebration and added a $40,000 deposit for his future wedding reception, even though he was not engaged. To them, Derek�s future deserved luxury. I was invited only because excluding me completely would have looked too obvious.
The day before the party, after Derek�s graduation ceremony, my mother pulled me aside.
�Elena, tomorrow is Derek�s day. We need everything to go smoothly.�
�What kind of complications are you expecting from me?� I asked.
My mother smiled tightly.
�Don�t be sensitive. Just be supportive and don�t draw attention to yourself.�
Derek looked up from his phone.
�Just don�t embarrass me. Important people will be there. You don�t really fit with that crowd.�
My mother nodded as if he had spoken wisdom. I could have told them that some of Derek�s �important people� had worked with me, invested near me, or toured buildings I owned. Instead, I said,
�Something like that.�
The next morning, Derek texted,
�Party starts at 6. Dress appropriately. Try not to look poor.�
I laughed while standing in a closet full of tailored clothes worth more than his first apartment�s rent. I chose a charcoal suit, black heels, diamond studs, and a watch only certain people would recognize. I looked calm, successful, and impossible to categorize.
At 5:45, I arrived at the Skyline Tower. Thomas saw me in the lobby and gave me a brief concerned look. I shook my head slightly. Not yet.
The rooftop was beautiful. My mother had done that much well. String lights crossed above ivory tables. White flowers stood near the glass railing. The bar gleamed. The city glowed gold beyond the rooftop. My mother stood in the center, directing staff like she owned the sky. When she saw me, disappointment flickered across her face. She had expected me to look inadequate. I had denied her that pleasure.
�Elena. You�re early.�
�I thought I could help.�
�How thoughtful. Actually, Derek has a system. Go get your wristband.�
At the check-in table, Derek handed white wristbands to professors and investors with practiced charm. When I stepped forward, he did not look up.
�Name?�
�Derek. It�s me.�
�Name?�
�Elena Marsh.�
The young woman searched the tablet.
�She�s not on the VIP list.�
Derek smiled faintly.
�Right. Elena. Alternate list.�
He pulled a red wristband from a separate box.
�What�s this?� I asked.
�Your wristband. White is for VIPs, business contacts, important guests, and family involved in the event. Red is general attendance.�
�I�m your sister.�
�Don�t make this weird. You�re holding up the line.�
Then he leaned closer.
�Tonight is important. Please don�t turn it into one of your things.�
I thought about refusing. Then I remembered the contract, the witnesses, the cameras, and the years I had been told to swallow humiliation quietly. I fastened the red band.
�Of course. Wouldn�t want security confused.�
By 6:30, the rooftop was full. One hundred and fourteen white wristbands flashed in the evening light. Only one red wristband existed�mine. My parents glowed with borrowed importance. Derek smiled, shook hands, thanked professors, and performed ambition beautifully.
Aunt Rachel noticed first.
�Honey, why is your wristband red?�
Before I answered, my mother appeared.
�It�s Derek�s professional system. Different categories for guest access.�
Rachel looked at her own white wristband.
�And Elena isn�t VIP family?�
My mother laughed too quickly.
�Don�t be dramatic. Elena understands.�
I understood perfectly.
At seven, my father announced family photos.
�Everyone with a white wristband who�s actual family, gather around Derek.�
I stepped forward. My father�s expression changed.
�Elena, what are you doing?�
�Family photo.�
�Red wristbands aren�t in this shot. VIP family only. Derek�s request.�
My mother pointed aside.
�You can stand over there. You�ll still be here, just not in the photo.�
So I stood outside the frame while my family gathered around Derek. Flash after flash captured them without me. I counted forty-seven photos. Forty-seven versions of a family where I did not exist. Guests whispered.
�Is that his sister?�
�Why isn�t she in the photo?�
�I guess she�s not important.�
At 7:45, Derek gave his speech. He thanked our parents, professors, friends, mentors, and everyone who had contributed to his future. He did not mention me once.
At 8:00, my mother showed photos to her friends.
�Our whole family around Derek. Isn�t it beautiful?�
A woman named Marjorie frowned.
�Is Elena not in the family pictures?�
My mother waved her hand.
�Elena is here somewhere. She�s more of a supportive presence. Some family members are leaders. Others are just there. Elena has always been the just-there type. Background family.�
Background family. The phrase reduced my entire life to furniture.
At exactly 9:00, I texted Thomas.
�It�s time.�
His reply came immediately.
�On my way up.�
I walked to the DJ booth.
�Can you cut the music?�
�I think Mr. Marsh has the schedule.�
�I�m the owner of the building.�
The music faded. Guests turned. Derek frowned. My mother prepared to scold me. I stepped into the open space near the bar.
�Excuse me, everyone. My name is Elena Marsh. Most of you know me as Derek�s older sister. The one with the red wristband.�
The room went silent.
�Tonight has been educational. When this party was booked, one important detail was not mentioned to my family.�
The elevator opened. Thomas stepped out with a leather folder and handed it to me.
�This is Thomas Chin, property manager of Skyline Tower. Thomas, please explain who owns the property we�re standing on.�
Thomas faced the crowd.
�Skyline Tower was acquired eight months ago by a private buyer. That buyer is present tonight.�
I opened the folder and raised the deed.
�I purchased this building on October 15 for $3.1 million in cash. That includes this rooftop, the event space, the elevators, the lobby, and every square foot being used tonight. I am the sole owner.�
Derek�s face went pale. My mother touched her throat. My father stared as if I had become a stranger.
PART 3
I continued.
