2
512words
So just because we didn’t do what you wanted… you killed it to vent your anger?"
The moment my brother’s voice dropped, a storm surged in my chest—rage boiling, breath coming in sharp, uneven bursts.
He—of all people—should have known what kind of person I was.
And yet he stood there, flinging accusations at me like I was a monster.
Tears welled up in my eyes before I could stop them.
I pointed a trembling finger at the cold, lifeless body on the ground and screamed:
“That’s right! I killed it! I’ve hated that thing for a long time!”
“It deserved to die!”
“It was your dog!”
“You’re the one who picked a fight with me! You made me angry!”
“So yes—I killed it! I wanted to watch it die!”
After the Buddy incident,Sophie arrived days later.
Soft-spoken, fragile, and with an innocent face,she quickly won Mom,Dad,and Ethan's hearts.
But she seemed familiar,like I'd seen her somewhere before.
I thought she'd just be another person in the house,but I didn't realize love was shifting away from me.
I worked hard at school,my grades soaring,but Mom barely noticed.
I showed her my report card,she glanced at it and went back to chatting with her"good daughter."
Dad didn’t even acknowledge my achievements.
He saw my grades,said nothing,and told me to tutor Sophie.
My heart felt hollow.
I was no longer the cherished daughter, Sophie had taken my place.
How could their love change so fast?
Desperate to regain their attention, I wore a blue dress that meant so much to me, hoping it would make them see me as their neglected daughter. But Ethan frowned."Why are you wearing Sophie's dress?"
All eyes turned to me.
I bit my lip,my eyes red."It's my dress!How is it hers?"
Ethan's frown deepened."I know your clothes.You don't own that dress."
Mom,believing him,stormed over, and yanked at my dress."Don't you have your own clothes?Why steal your sister's?"
Tears streamed down my face as I fought back."It's mine!You should ask her!"
Sophie,hiding behind Ethan,spoke softly."Mom,it's Lily's dress.Sorry,I saw how pretty it was and wore it once."
I snapped,"See?It's mine!She stole it!"
Dad's face darkened."Enough!It's just a dress.Stop making a fuss!"
Dad turned to Sophie with a gentle smile."We'll buy you a prettier one."
Sophie shot me a smug grin and purred,"Thanks,Dad."
I stood there, stunned, as my resolve crumbled.
Ever since Sophie came, I felt like I'd been stripped of my luck,losing everything to her.
Back in the present,Sophie pretended to be worried and urged Ethan, "Ethan, maybe you should check on her. She's been out so late."
"She's always at hotels,with shady people,but what if she really needs you?"
Ethan's irritation flared,then subsided.
"She killed Buddy,bullied you,slandered you,and you still wanna defend her?"
"She's better off dead out there."
He was right—I was dead,and miserably so.
"Sleep,Sophie.Don't mention that killjoy."
After Sophie fell asleep,Ethan turned off the light and went to his room.
He sat on his bed,lighting another cigarette.
Smoke curled around his face,his eyes flickering,unreadable.
After a while,he pulled out his phone,staring at my contact.
