It was finally Christmas, but I wasn't very excited. For me, Christmas was just a painful reminder that I was not a valued member of the family. Every year, the cruelty would be magnified during this time—denying me food at Christmas dinner, giving me insulting or worthless gifts, or making me do all the work while Matt was spoiled. The holidays became a period where I was made to feel even more inferior and unloved, solidifying my hatred for the season.
Instead of joy and togetherness, I was met with neglect and isolation.
