Chapter 2Real Gold for the Wrong Daughter

Mom finally called us to the dining table. The table was laden with food, a feast of rich, savory dishes.

Every single one of them was Savannah’s favorite.

Trying to sound lighthearted, I asked, almost joking, “I thought you said we didn’t have any food, Mom? How is it that the fridge is suddenly packed the second Savannah walks in?”

Mom lifted her eyes and shot me a look of pure exasperation, then slammed her chopsticks down on the table.

“You always have to pick a fight, don’t you?” she spat. “I do treat you two equally. I buy gold for your sister every year, and I never leave you out!”

She leaned in, her voice rising. “Your sister came home with a stack of groceries and flowers, and look at you. You’re a working adult now, and you still walk in here empty-handed.”

Savannah chimed in, glaring at me. “Seriously, Piper. Just eat. Why do you always have to start drama and try to compare yourself to me?”

I realized then why she was so cold to me. I had committed the ultimate sin: I hadn't brought a gift.

I quickly pulled out the necklace. “I didn’t come empty-handed. This is for you, Mom. I forgot to give it to you earlier.”

Her expression finally softened. She took the chain, sniffed, and gave a grudging, “Well, at least you have some conscience.”

She waved me toward the table. “Now stop dawdling and eat.”

The awkward moment seemed to pass, but my appetite was gone. All I could hear was the jeweler’s clerk: “One is solid gold, and the other is just gold-plated.”

After dinner, I wrestled with the thought for hours before finally voicing it.

“Mom, the simple cuff bracelet you bought us this year? I want to start wearing mine.”

Mom’s movements stilled. She laughed, a short, bitter sound. “Aha. I knew that necklace wasn’t a spontaneous gift. You gave me a flimsy chain just so you could trade up for your more valuable piece. That’s a good strategy, Piper.”

Her voice hardened. “Those are your dowry pieces. Are you that desperate to take possession of them already?”

I swallowed hard. “But Savannah wears the jewelry you buy for her all the time.”

“Piper, can you and Mom have a fight without dragging me into it?” Savannah burst out. She shoved her chair back and stomped off to her room, slamming the door.

Mom gave me a disgusted look. “Honestly, Savannah finally comes home, and you just have to ruin it. Here,” she said, pulling the bracelet box from a high shelf and shoving it into my hand. “Take it. Are you happy now?”

I drove back to my rental apartment first thing the next morning.

I searched online again for the gold-plating test. I held the bracelet in my hand, frozen.

If it was solid gold, I was the worst daughter alive, guilty of the deepest, ugliest suspicion.

But if it was gold-plated…

The clerk’s words had hollowed me out. I needed an answer.

After a long, painful moment of indecision, I performed the test. I followed the instructions from the video exactly.

The result came back: It was solid gold.

A wave of relief and crushing guilt washed over me. I shouldn’t have doubted her. I owe her an apology.

That’s when my phone rang. It was Mom.

I answered, and her voice was a high, panicked edge of urgency. “I mixed up your bracelet with Savannah’s. Get back here and switch them immediately.”

My throat tightened, a thick, metallic taste in my mouth. “Mom,” I managed. “Aren’t these bracelets exactly the same? Why do they need to be switched?”