They Called Me the Ugly High School Graduate, and My Family Disowned Me. Ten Years Later…

They didn’t know what I was going to say, and that fear was exactly what I sought to provoke. I took the microphone and smiled at the audience.

“Good evening, everyone. My name is Lucy Martinez, Sarah’s older sister.” A murmur of surprise ran through the room.

Many of the guests didn’t even know Sarah had a sister. “For those wondering why you’ve never seen me at family gatherings,” I continued, “let’s say I’ve been building my own path away from here.”

I saw my father make a gesture to stand up, but my mother stopped him, probably fearing that an interruption would cause more scandal. “Sarah,” I addressed my sister directly. “You were always the family star, the perfect child. Today, seeing you so radiant, I understand why.”

I made a dramatic pause while everyone held their breath, waiting for some scandalous revelation. “I wish you all the happiness in the world. And to you, Michael,” I turned toward my new brother-in-law, “I wish you wisdom to truly know the family you just entered.”

I left the microphone and returned to my table amid polite applause and confused looks. I hadn’t said anything explicitly offensive, but the subtext was clear to those who needed to understand it.

Moments later, while waiters served dessert, I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was Michael. “Can we talk for a moment?” he asked seriously.

I followed him to a quiet corner of the room. “Your speech was interesting,” he commented.

“I was quite discreet considering the circumstances,” I replied.

“What circumstances, exactly?” Michael asked, and I could see genuine curiosity in his eyes. “Sarah has barely mentioned your existence, and when she did, she said you had voluntarily distanced yourself due to personal differences.”

I weighed my options. Could I tell Michael the whole truth and possibly ruin my sister’s wedding night, or could I be strategic?

“Families are complicated, Michael,” I finally replied. “Let’s say the standards of success and beauty in the Martinez family are extremely rigorous. I didn’t meet them, so they showed me the door.”

“Are you telling me they kicked you out of home?” he asked incredulously.

“I’m telling you that you should know well the family you just married into,” I replied. “Especially if you plan to have children someday.”

Michael’s expression changed. It was evident that my words had planted a seed of doubt. “There’s something else I should know, isn’t there?” he insisted.

At that moment, I saw Sarah approaching with an alarmed expression. The revenge was served, but the main course was still missing.

“Michael honey, they’re looking for you for photos with your parents,” Sarah interrupted with a honeyed voice but a threatening look directed at me.

“Of course, I’m coming right away,” he replied, visibly uncomfortable. “Lucy, I’d like to continue this conversation later.”

“Whenever you want,” I replied with a serene smile.

The Face of Betrayal

As soon as Michael walked away, Sarah dropped her facade. “What do you think you’re doing?” she hissed. “You come to my wedding after ten years to ruin everything?”

“Ruin it? I’m just having a civilized conversation with my new brother-in-law,” I replied without losing my composure. “Unlike you, I don’t hide the truth about our toxic family.”

“Truth? You want to talk about truth?” Sarah lowered her voice, but her tone was sharp. “The truth is you were always jealous of me. You always wanted what I had.”

Her accusation made me laugh bitterly. “Jealous, Sarah? I didn’t want your beauty or your popularity. I just wanted a family that would accept me as I was, but I guess that was asking too much.”

“You left,” she reminded me with disdain. “Nobody kicked you out.”

“Really? Rewriting history to fit your perfect narrative? Typical of the Martinez family,” I kept my voice controlled despite feeling fury bubbling inside me. “Have you told Michael how they modified the will a month after my departure, or how Dad made sure none of his contacts would hire me in the city?”

Sarah paled slightly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Of course you know. You were there when Dad called his partners to ruin my career before it could begin. The humiliation they planned for me was meticulous and complete,” I said.

My sister looked away, confirming with her silence that my words were true. “You know what, Sarah? For years I thought I hated you, that I hated this whole family for what they did to me. But now I realize I owe them gratitude.”

My statement surprised her. “If they hadn’t expelled me, I would never have discovered my own strength. I would never have built my company from scratch. I would never have experienced the true justice of succeeding on my own merits.”

“Company?” Sarah asked, and I noticed a flash of something in her eyes. Curiosity? Envy?

“Financial consulting,” I replied. “We advised several companies that compete with Dad. In fact, last year we were instrumental in the acquisition that almost destroyed his Monte Verde project.”

Sarah’s eyes opened with recognition. That failed project had been a devastating blow to my father, and now she knew I had been behind it.

“That was your revenge,” she murmured.

“That was business,” I corrected. “Revenge is just beginning tonight.”

Before Sarah could respond, Gabriel approached us. “Sorry to interrupt the family reunion,” he said with a smile that suggested he wasn’t sorry at all. “Lucy, would you grant me this dance?”

I accepted his hand, leaving Sarah speechless and with an expression of bewilderment on her perfect face. On the dance floor, Gabriel guided me expertly.