Niece seems to have zero interest in hanging out with me and makes the thinnest of excuses to do so while spending almost every weekend with my cousin 2 hours away by train. Also sucks that cousin who used to be in touch more has glommed onto having her over and I'm basically invisible to them... stings a bit but I'm kind of okay with it since I don't super enjoy either of their company tbh, and I certainly hated obligatory aunty visits when I was that age. I've made it clear to my brother that I've tried but if his daughter's not interested I'm not going to push it, she's old enough to decide. Just wish she'd be more honest.

The thing that gets me hackles up is that I suspect very, very toxic ex sister in law is increasingly involved and brainwashing said cousin (who is of the gullible type). She's all about secrets and drama and thinks nothing of creating division to get attention she cover her numerous lies (including in court - she is utterly shameless). Years of being hated on by her - and in the past, my brother as well - make me ultra sensitive to some BS being spread about me...

... But fuck it. If cousin is going to believe that officially duplicitous bitch over knowing me from childhood then I'm not going to waste any more mental energy on the lot of them. Focus on the people who believe in and care about me