Starving While They Feasted
Agatha Christie · Ongoing · 6.8k Words
Introduction
The plan was simple: fake being poor, watch my sister's construction worker boyfriend run when times got tough, then reveal the truth and break her heart. I was supposed to be the convincing proof of our "poverty."
But I didn't know I was acting. For ten years, I lived their lie for real. Starved while they feasted in hiding. Worked myself to the bone while they watched me suffer.
Then I got my dream job and burst through the door to save everyone—only to find my sister's engagement party in progress.
But she'd dumped the construction worker for a tech mogul. "Maya's suffering was so authentic," she laughed to her guests. "It showed me exactly what I'd become if I stayed with Jake. Thank God I came to my senses."
My pain was her wake-up call.
Chapter 1
My family used me as bait to destroy my sister's happiness.
The plan was simple: fake being poor, watch my sister's construction worker boyfriend run when times got tough, then reveal the truth and break her heart. I was supposed to be the convincing proof of our "poverty."
But I didn't know I was acting. For ten years, I lived their lie for real. Starved while they feasted in hiding. Worked myself to the bone while they watched me suffer.
Then I got my dream job and burst through the door to save everyone—only to find my sister's engagement party in progress.
But she'd dumped the construction worker for a tech mogul. "Maya's suffering was so authentic," she laughed to her guests. "It showed me exactly what I'd become if I stayed with Jake. Thank God I came to my senses."
My pain was her wake-up call.
Maya's POV
I stared at my sister Fiona's glowing face, clutching the job offer in my trembling hands.
The joy I'd felt moments ago turned to pure devastation.
Ten years. Ten years of living in poverty—all a lie.
"Couldn't have done it without you, Maya." Fiona wrapped her arm around her new fiancé Brian's, flashing me a triumphant smile.
I stared hard at that face—so identical to mine, yet pampered, well-fed, radiant.
"Watching your miserable life these past ten years really opened my eyes about Jake and his poverty." She leaned close to my ear, dropping her voice. "Being poor is just terrifying, isn't it?"
Rage shot through me.
Mom Margaret walked over with a champagne flute in hand. "Maya, you got the NeoTech offer?"
She glanced at the letter, voice casual as ever. "Oh, decent job. But look at you..." She frowned. "Go change into something appropriate. It's your sister's engagement party—don't look so pathetic."
"Mom, I thought we were broke?" My voice shook.
"It was all fake. Had to show your sister Jake's true colors."
"WHAT?"
Dad Charles adjusted his tie. "Maya, we know these ten years were tough on you, but it was character building. You should be grateful."
"Grateful?" Tears started streaming down my face. "You dumped me in that crappy school when I was eight! Those rich kids called me white trash every single day! No hot water in winter—I had to take freezing showers!"
"Don't be so dramatic—" Mom waved dismissively.
"Dramatic? I got up at 4 AM washing dishes! My hands were raw and bleeding! Three jobs a day! I had a toothache so bad I couldn't sleep, but I couldn't afford a dentist, so I just suffered through my SATs!"
"ENOUGH!" Dad slammed the table. "We were toughening you up! You should be THANKING us!"
Thank them? That's when it all hit me.
Every time the family was "broke," I'd hand over every penny I earned. I thought I was saving us from bankruptcy.
Whenever Fiona was "sick" and needed medicine money, I'd give her my meal money without hesitation.
I wore rags to school and got mocked mercilessly. Fiona would always comfort me afterward, saying so "guiltily," "I'm sorry, Maya. With the family like this, we just need you to sacrifice a little more."
For ten years, I'd been working myself to death for a poverty that never existed.
Fiona straightened up, tightening her grip on Brian's arm. "I owe you big time, Maya. Seeing how pathetic you were showed me I could never end up with Jake. So I chose Brian—a man who's actually worthy of me."
Something snapped inside me. I lunged forward and shoved her. "You BITCH!"
SLAP!
Dad's hand cracked across my face.
"How DARE you touch your sister? She's always been delicate—you should protect her, not attack her!"
"Delicate?" I pointed at Fiona. "What's delicate about her? Have you denied her ANYTHING these past ten years?"
"Maya, you're out of line." Dad's voice turned ice cold. "After everything we've done for you. This is how you repay us?"
"Done for me? You used me as your LAB RAT! Made me think we were actually poor!"
Mom shook her head. "You still don't understand family responsibility. Someone has to sacrifice. Fiona is our precious daughter—her happiness comes first."
"What about me? Aren't I your daughter too?"
Dad stared at me coldly. "Of course you are. But some kids are meant to pave the way for others. That's your role, Maya."
Something broke inside me.
"You CAN'T do this! I'm your daughter, not your TOOL!"
"Daughters sacrifice for family." Dad turned to the security guard. "Marcus, take Maya to the basement. Let her think this through."
Two guards moved toward me. I fought desperately.
"When you figure it out, you can come back up!"
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