Black-owned business of the day:
Beauty Stat

A trusted source for beauty and skincare advice, New York cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson has channeled his passion for innovative skincare ingredients and technologies into his boutique skincare brand. Using a patented technology that encapsulates vitamin C to make it shelf-stable and prevent degradation from light and air, his serums and moisturizers caught the attention of the chemists in GH's Beauty Lab.

Website: shop.beautystat.com

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Cassidy's POV

I knew that would get her attention. She called me as soon as she noticed her money was gone. I let my phone go to voicemail.

While she was stressing I went about my day. She left me about twenty voicemails which I deleted. Now it's her turn to get thrown to the side.

All my life I was treated lesser than. Ever since she was born she ruined my life. I was pushed to the side as soon as she was brought into the world.

Not only is she my parent's favorite, but she's also everyone's favorite. Everyone tends to her needs while I have to do everything on my own. I remember the day she went to Howard University.

I was on the phone with dad when he pulled up to the airport. I was telling him about my day until he saw her walking towards him. He hung up the phone and gave her his full attention.

To make matters worst, he accidentally butt-dialed me and I heard him and mom say that she was the favorite. I cried myself to sleep that night. They didn't notice though, they were on FaceTime with her once she was in her new apartment.

Even in high school, she was treated like a prize. I remember boys would get close to me just to get through to her. I was being compared to her socially, academically, and physically. I was sick and tired of it.

That's why I slept with her boyfriend.

I was tired of her being the pretty and smart sister. I was tired of her taking the attention from me without even knowing it. The fact that my little sister was better than me at everything didn't put me at ease.

I needed to do something to show her my dominance. When I saw he was just sitting in the living I took advantage of it. Seeing the hurt in her face was worth the reputation I received.

I'm not entirely in the wrong though, he willingly choose to cheat on her.

Rumor has it, he never even loved her. He was just dating her to get close to me. I did her a favor by breaking them up.

I heard rapid footsteps coming from upstairs so, I braced myself. She must've already told mom what happened. I just continued to text as she came up to me huffing and puffing like a dog.

"Cassidy give that girl back her damn money. Why would you hack into her account and steal something she has been working so hard for? It's not her fault you choose not to work hard"

"Now you notice that I'm here? I've been begging you all week to show me some type of attention but it was always 'I'm on the phone with Serenity', 'look at what Serenity sent me', or 'isn't Serenity the best'. It's always about her! I've been struggling to take care of my child while you worship the ground Serenity walks on. Growing up I always felt like an outcast. I was acting out so you can finally notice me and see my cry for help. You never noticed"

I finally let out. My role in life has always been being second place to Serenity. If I did something, she would do it three times better with no effort. I've been treated like the middle child all of my life.

I only started acting out to get their attention. I was calling out for help, for someone to see that I'm hurting inside but no one even looked in my direction. Their attention was solely on Serenity and her life.

"I didn't know you felt that way"

"I've been repeating the same thing for years! It's now you're listening to me"

I could see the guilt in her eyes. She neglected me and now she's noticing that. All those birthdays she and dad missed to go to Serenity's recitals came back. All those times she accidentally left me home because she thought I was with them made me grow angrier.

Nobody hears you until you talk out of character, then you're the toxic one.

"I'm so sorry for not paying more attention to you sweetheart. I guess you can say most of our attention was on the baby of the family. I promise you it wasn't on purpose. We just saw you as more mature so we treated you like you were an adult. I am sorry"

She apologized as she grabbed my hand. I'm not mad at her, I just wanted her to know how I felt. Having so much anger in me isn't doing me any justice.

We spent the next few minutes talking it out. I get they didn't purposely exclude me from their activities but, it still kind of hurts. I wish they would've told me this sooner.

As we were talking her phone started ringing. I looked at it and saw it was Serenity. She looked up at me sympathetically, as if she was asking for permission to pick up her call. I wanted to be angry at my mom but, I couldn't.

I nodded my head, signaling that it was ok. She got up and answered the phone in the kitchen. I can hear Serenity's anger from the living room. I just went about my day.

All I did was take $10,000, she needs to stop being so dramatic.

"Cassidy, return her money in her account. I don't even know how you even got into her account."

"It was easy. I went to the bank dressed like you and handed them the id you left in your drawer. I knew you were the only one besides her and dad that had access to her account"

"Cassidy, ..."

Before she could speak the doorbell rang. I took that as my cue to exit the conversation. I speed walked to the door and opened it.

I didn't have time to give a speech about how what I did was wrong. If I wanted to feel guilty I would pick up Serenity's calls.

"Are you Cassidy Dixon?" An officer asked.

"Yes sir"

"You're under arrest for identity thief and third-degree embezzlement. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you......"

"Mommy! Help me!"

She just stood there in shock. She hasn't proceeded the fact that I was getting arrested. The officer slapped the cuffs on my wrist as he manhandled me to the car. My mom ran out frantically to me while she screamed on the phone.

I could hear my dad on the other line panicking. I could the roar of his engine as I was being forced into the cruiser.

"What is going on officer?"

He didn't answer her. I could hear the strain in my mom's voice as the cop drove away with me in the backseat. She knew she couldn't do anything for me at that moment. I didn't want her getting hurt in the middle of this.

I knew how the system treated us.

I would later experience it firsthand with my uncle George.

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A/N:

Hey guysss! I'm back and I must say I'm shocked. I've been logged off for a while and I come back to 4,000 notifications!

I can happily announce that I graduated high school with honors! I am top 5% of my graduating class!

Thank you all for tuning into this chapter. Be safe and enjoy your week!

Xoxo,
Black_baddie