The DNA Result That Made My Mother Beg

Morticia's POV

It was the eighteenth birthday of the Miller family’s princess, my cousin Jennifer.

It was also my eighteenth birthday.

But no one cared. To them, I was just the help. A shadow.

I wiped my hands on my stained apron and reached into the back pocket of my worn-out jeans. My fingers trembled as they brushed against the crisp envelope.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mathematics. Early Admission.

I took a deep breath. This was it. This was my ticket out, my proof that I wasn't worthless.

Maybe, just maybe, if Mom saw this, she would finally look at me. She would finally smile at me the way she smiled at Jennifer.

I pushed through the swinging doors. Mom was standing on the small stage.

"Jennifer, my darling," Mom’s voice trembled with emotion. "You are the light of our lives. Watching you grow has been the greatest joy."

She gestured to a velvet box in her hand. She snapped it open, revealing a diamond necklace.

"This is for you. You are my heart. I would give you the world if I could."

My heart shattered. I stood frozen by the dessert table, clutching my acceptance letter.

Jennifer squealed. She looked perfect in her custom-made pink gown, a tiara perched on her curled hair.

"Oh, Aunt Mandy! It's beautiful!" Jennifer cried out, rushing to hug my mother.

I shouldn't have come out. I should have stayed in the kitchen. But my feet moved on their own. I needed her to see me. Just once.

"Mom?" I whispered, stepping forward.

The noise in the room seemed to die down. Mom pulled away from Jennifer and turned. Her smile vanished instantly, replaced by a look of sheer icy disgust.

"What are you doing here?" she hissed, stepping off the stage to block me from the guests. "Look at you. You're filthy. You smell like dishwater."

"I... I wanted to show you something," I stammered, holding out the crumpled envelope. "It's from MIT. I got in. I got a full scholarship."

She didn't even look at the paper. She swatted my hand away. The letter fell to the polished floor.

"Who cares?" she spat. "Jennifer is celebrating her eighteenth birthday. Why do you always have to make everything about you? You selfish, attention-seeking brat. Get back to the kitchen before you embarrass me further."

"But it's my birthday too," I said, my voice cracking.

"You don't deserve a birthday," Mom said coldly. "Now go."

I bent down to pick up my letter, tears stinging my eyes.

"Wait," Jennifer walked over, the diamond necklace already around her neck.

"Morticia, you're leaving?" Jennifer pouted. "But we haven't cut the cake."

She stepped closer, pretending to inspect my apron. "Oh, poor cousin. Always working so hard."

Then, she stumbled.

It was fake. Completely fake. She lurched forward, bumping into me hard. I clutched the straps of my backpack tightly to steady myself.

"Oops!" Jennifer giggled. "Sorry!"

She turned back to the crowd, fingering her neck. Then, she screamed.

"My necklace! It's gone!"

The room went silent.

"What?" Mom gasped, rushing to her. "It was just on your neck!"

"I felt a tug when Morticia bumped into me!" Jennifer pointed a shaking finger at me. "She took it! She stole my diamond necklace!"

"I didn't!" I shouted, backing away. "I didn't touch her!"

"Liar!" Mom screamed. She lunged at me, grabbing the straps of my backpack. "Give it back! You little thief!"

"Mom, stop! I don't have it!"

"Don't call me Mom!"

She ripped the backpack from my shoulders and turned it upside down.

Books, pencils, and my spare uniform spilled onto the floor. And there, sliding out from the side pocket, was the diamond necklace.

A gasp rippled through the crowd.

I stared at it, horror seizing my chest. "No... she put it there! She bumped into me and put it there!"

Slap!

Mom’s hand connected with my face so hard my head snapped to the side. The taste of blood filled my mouth.

"You are disgusting," Mom screeched, her face twisted into a mask of hatred. "I knew you were low, but this? Stealing from your own cousin on her birthday?"

"I didn't steal it!" I cried, holding my burning cheek. "Jennifer framed me!"

"Shut up!" Mom raised her hand again. "Jennifer is an angel! Why would she frame a piece of trash like you? It's in your blood, isn't it? You're just like your useless father. Lowly, greedy, and deceitful. It's in your genes!"

She grabbed my hair, forcing my head down.

"Kneel."

"What?" I choked out.

"Kneel down and apologize to Jennifer! Now!"

I looked at Aunt Zella. She was watching, that same amused smile playing on her lips. She didn't say a word. Uncle Nick was nowhere to be seen.

I looked at the guests. They were whispering, pointing, looking at me like I was a cockroach.

"Mom, please..."

"KNEEL!" Mom kicked the back of my knees.

My legs buckled. I hit the hard floor with a thud.

Humiliation burned through my veins.

Mom picked up the necklace and gently placed it back on Jennifer’s neck. "I'm so sorry, baby. Don't let this filth ruin your night."

Jennifer smirked at me. "It's okay, Aunt Mandy. I know Morticia has... struggles. I forgive her."

"You are too good for this world," Mom cooed.

Then she looked down at me. "Get out of my sight. And don't you dare think you're sleeping inside tonight. You can sleep in the shed."

I scrambled to gather my things. My hand reached for the MIT letter.

Mom’s high heel slammed down on it.

She ground her heel into the paper, tearing it, leaving a dark, dirty smudge across the university seal.

"Useless," she muttered.

I abandoned the letter. I grabbed my bag and ran.

I collapsed against the garden wall, gasping for breath.

Why? Why did she hate me so much?

Suddenly, a shadow fell over me.