Nobody ever really notices the quiet one.

  They see you, acknowledge you, maybe even throw a "How was your day?" in your direction before moving on with their lives. But do they really see you? Do they hear the words left unsaid, the ones caught in your throat before you even think to speak them?

  I used to think my family saw me. That they knew me. But over time, I realized I was just there.

  Existing.

  Not exactly ignored, but not exactly seen either.

  It was the same routine every day. I would wake up, watch as my parents busied themselves with my older sisters—especially Madison, the golden child—then move through the day like a background character in my own life.

  Tonight was no different.

  I sat curled up in the corner of the couch, a book resting on my lap. My sisters were all talking, their voices blending together in cheerful chaos. Mom and Dad were in the kitchen, laughing about something I didn't bother to listen to.

  I turned a page in my book, pretending to read. Pretending I wasn't used to this.

  Then the front door swung open.

  "Madison!" Katherine, one of the triplets, voice rang out as my eldest sister walked in, her blonde hair slightly disheveled from work. She looked tired, but her eyes were bright, almost giddy with excitement.

  I smiled. Genuinely. I scurried from my seat and immediately threw my hands around her, wrapping her in a tight hug.

  Madison smiled, brighter than usual, hugging me back. There was something in her eyes—excitement, nerves, something more.

  She backed up, her eyes scanning the room before facing me. "Where's Mom and Dad, lily?" She asked me.

  "Oh they're in the kitchen." I said pointing to where both my parents were probably making dessert for after dinner.

  "Good, because I want you all to meet someone."

  Someone? I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. Who could it be?

  The room went silent.

  And then he stepped inside.

  The first thing I noticed was his clothes.

  He wasn't dressed like most guys I'd seen my sisters bring home—no sneakers, no ripped jeans, no casual hoodie. Instead, he looked like he had just walked out of an expensive restaurant or an old-money estate.

  A crisp white button-up, the sleeves rolled up just enough to look effortless but still intentional. A navy-blue cashmere sweater draped over his shoulders, like he had barely thought about it but somehow made it work. Tailored trousers, polished leather shoes that looked expensive even from across the room. A gold watch, simple but noticeable, peeking from under his sleeve.

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  It screamed Rich.

  That was my first thought.

  Or at least, raised differently. Raised to care about appearances, to know the power of looking like you belonged somewhere important.

  Madison beamed, taking his hand.

  "This is Woody—my boyfriend."

  The room erupted.

  My sisters squealed with excitement, crowding around him with playful questions and teasing remarks. I just... stood there. Smiling, nodding, doing what I was supposed to do.

  I was happy for her. Really.

  But beneath it, a familiar sting settled in my chest.

  Woody smiled politely as my sisters swarmed him, their voices overlapping in excitement. He handled it well—too well. Like he was used to being the center of attention, used to charming his way through situations like this.

  Madison stood beside him, her fingers still loosely intertwined with his. She looked so happy, so proud.

  I should have been happy for her. I was. But deep down, I knew what happened when my sisters fell in love. Especially Maddy. Everything changed. She stops focusing on me and puts all her attention on the new man.

  Don't get me wrong. I'm not selfish. I rarely get attention from any other family member—including my own mother. Maddy is the only one who sees me, and when a new guy comes in I become invisible again.

  I watched as Mom and Dad finally emerged from the kitchen, their reactions more measured than my sisters'.

  "Madison's been talking about you nonstop," Mom said, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel before offering a smile. "It's nice to finally meet you, Woody."

  Dad, always the more serious one, stepped forward. "What do you do, son?"

  "Dad stop, we just got here" Madison whined and arched Dad to stop him from asking questions.

  Woody didn't flinch. If anything, he expected the question. Prepared for it.

  " Don't worry love. I would have done the same thing in his shoes." Woody said looking over at Madison before turning to face my Dad. "I study business finance Sir. My father owns a couple of companies—some I helped built which I plan on taking over someday."

  A businessman's son. Of course. It explained everything—the way he carried himself, the way he dressed like he had a legacy to uphold.

  Dad gave a small nod of approval. "Ambitious. That's good."

  Madison beamed, squeezing Woody's hand as if his answer had won her parents over completely. My sisters exchanged glances, and I knew what they were thinking. Finally, a guy who sounded like he had a future.

  I could feel the conversation moving, the questions flowing, the laughter filling the space. And yet, I felt more distant than ever.

  I turned away, sinking back into my chair, pretending to focus on my book.

  But then—

  "And who's this?"

  His voice. Smooth, low. Directed at me.

  I glanced up to see Woody looking straight at me, his expression unreadable. It wasn't an ordinary polite curiosity. It was... interest.

  Madison turned to me, almost like she had forgotten I was there. "Oh! This is Lily, my baby sister."

  Baby sister.

  Woody's lips quirked up, his eyes studying me for a second longer than necessary. "Nice to meet you, Lily."

  I forced a small smile. "You too."

  Then I looked away, pressing my fingers against the worn pages of my book, trying to ground myself.

  I watched as Mom lead him to the dinner table, my other sisters going over asking questions like "Do you have a yacht?" "Can you rent out a whole stadium?" "Can you take us on your private jet?"

  Matilda tried dismissing them, but Woody just laughed it off. I had a strange feeling about him. probably because he stole her heart almost immediately. It's too fast all this, it wasn't too long she had broken up with her previous boyfriend. Probably about 8 months now.

  She usually waited a year and half. Maybe she just wanted him for his money? security? Whatever it was, I don't like the guy.

  This is the beginning of a rivalry. I'll probably have to sabotage it, incase she starts giving too much attention. That was how I got rid of the last guy, just set up bait and watch em fall.

  I doubt he would be any different.