Three months later,Mom called at 4 a.m.,waking me from a groggy sleep.
Panicked,I called back.“Mom,what’s going on?”
“Sophia,come home!We need to talk about Anna’s dowry!”

In my past life,anything related to Anna,no matter how insignificant—ill-fitting clothes, a simple cough, or parent-teacher meetings—was treated as an emergency.Mom would dump it all these matters on me,no matter how busy or tired I was,while she went off with her friends.It felt as if she'd had Anna just so I could raise her.
Her sob stories always made me feel guilty,leading me to believe that Anna’s life was my responsibility.So,I took care of everything.
Now,looking at the faint light of dawn seeping through my curtains,I yawned,ready for more sleep.
“Mom,I can’t.I have a court case today.I’ll be swamped with work for days.”
She grew frantic.“What court case?Is it more important than your sister’s wedding?”
I laughed,exasperated.“Mom,I’m just a junior lawyer,not a judge.I don’t change the court schedules.”

Undeterred,she and Anna showed up at my doorstep.
“Your sister’s getting married.As her elder sister,you should contribute to her dowry,don’t you think?”
Before I could even take a sip water,Mom pressed me.
“How much are you going to give?I know you will give Anna a cash gift,of course.”

“No cash gift needed.Just a dowry—$100,000.”
“How much?”
“$100,000.”
“Mom,be honest.Do you think I have that kind of savings?I paid for Anna’s education for seven years,covered your living expenses.When I first started working,I pulled all-nighters,even got attacked investigating cases.Did you ever once ask if my work was tough?Am I not your daughter,or is Anna the only one who matters?Was I adopted or something?”
For once, Mom looked guilty.“Sophia,don’t say that.You’re my daughter too.I just doted on Anna more since she’s my late-in-life baby.”
“You may don’t have money,but what about your boyfriend?I hear his sales commissions are high.You’re not young—time to marry.This$100,000 isn’t a loss;it’s your wedding gift.Giving it for Anna’s dowry shows your future husband’s worth.”
My heart sank.
The people I loved most didn’t want me—or those who cared for me—to succeed.
Even though I knew their true colors from my past life,the pain hit hard.
This family wasn’t worth keeping.
I steadied myself,refusing tears.They didn’t deserve them.
“Mom,first of all,my marriage won’t be about money.I don’t believe in the whole dowry thing.”
“Second,I’m a lawyer.Anna’s 22—an adult.I’m not legally or morally obligated to support her anymore.”
“I’ve supported her for seven years and paid your monthly allowance without fail.I’ve done my part.”
“This $100,000 dowry?I can’t afford it,and I'm not going to pay it."
“If you really care for Anna,you’ve got that house back home.Sell it if you’re short on cash.”
When Mom realized I wasn't going to budge, she dropped the act and started cursing me, calling me a useless daughter and saying I was a waste of time and money to raise.
Anna pointed at me,sneering I was brain-dead for dating a“pauper”and refusing a dowry,gaining nothing.
Unlike her,snagging a rich man,bringing a hefty dowry to be respected—a long-term investment for endless wealth.
Since getting nothing from me,Anna dragged Mom away.“Let’s go,Mom.I don’t have a sister.We’ll figure this out.Once I’m married,money won’t be an problem!”