It all began when my mother died seven years ago after becoming very ill. My dad began dating Carla shortly after, and they were married in less than a year.
“Your father doesn’t waste any time, does he?” My aunt made a remark during the wedding. “Anyway, who is Carla? She is nothing in comparison to your mother.
Carla seemed OK at first. She made an effort to be kind and win my favor. However, the passive-aggressive remarks began to accumulate over time.
She once had this weird expression on her face as she stared at me, I recall. “You look too much like your mother, Emily,”
She said. “Looking at you really hurts me. It makes sense that Mason receives more attention from your father. “Don’t you think he’s closer to Mason now?”
