An uncomfortable silence fell over our group. Several nearby families had stopped pretending not to listen.
Cassandra unexpectedly broke the tension. “Can I come to your party instead of going to dinner with Mom and Dad?” she asked. “I want to hear more about your company, and honestly, I am tired of being the center of attention all the time. It is exhausting living up to their expectations.”
Her candid admission surprised me. Perhaps there was more awareness in my sister than I had given her credit for.
“You are welcome to join us,” I told her. “Jessica, Professor Wilson, and the Secure Pay team would love to meet you.”
My father frowned. “Cassandra, we had plans as a family.”
For perhaps the first time in her life, my sister stood her ground against our parents. “I want to spend time with Harper. You two can go to dinner without us.”
My mother looked between us, clearly calculating the social implications of the situation. “Perhaps we could all attend Harper’s celebration as a family.”
I shook my head. “I think it is better if we have some space right now. This is a lot to process for everyone. Cassandra is welcome to join my celebration if she wants to, but I am not ready to pretend everything is suddenly fine between us just because you have discovered I am successful.”
My father’s face flushed with anger. “After everything we have done for you—”
“What exactly have you done for me, Dad?” I asked quietly. “I worked three jobs to put myself through college. I built my company without a dollar of your money or a word of your advice. I took the bus to my graduation ceremony today, just like you suggested.”
He had no response to that, just tightened his jaw in the way I had seen countless times growing up.
