Mom scoffed and turned away, her shoe tip pressing down on my fingers as she walked past. Pain shot through my hand, my face twisting.
“After all these years, she’s never once felt guilty for what happened to Tina. Why would she suddenly grow a conscience now?”
“If you can’t even apologize, then what’s the point of having a mouth? Maybe losing your voice would be karma.”
Kevin scooped Valentina into his arms and strode out the door, with Mom and Dad following right behind.
At the doorway, Valentina turned back and smiled at me, mouthing a silent taunt, “I’ll take everything from you. I’ll make sure you have nothing left.”
With a loud bang, the door slammed shut.
Pain shot through my abdomen as my wound reopened, warm blood seeping through my clothes. With the last of my strength, I flung the cheap, fake diamond ring into the trash.
A love poisoned by lies–I didn’t want it anymore.
A family built on deception–I didn’t need it either.
Late that night, in the silence, a message from Kevin lit up my phone.
[Tina is the one taking risks to be by my side. If I protect you too much, it wouldn’t be fair
to her.
Mom and Dad only treated you that way so Tina would willingly switch places with you.” You were the one making mistake today, but forget about apologizing. You’ll always be special to me–I’d never force you.]
I stared at the screen–and suddenly, I wanted to laugh.
Kevin really had a way of twisting the truth. If I hadn’t heard everything with my own ears, I might’ve actually believed him.
For the next five days, the housekeeper was the only one who brought me food. Aside from Valentina occasionally stopping by to gloat, I didn’t see anyone else.
For the first two days, Kevin still sent me messages–checking in, updating me on his schedule and trying to soothe my emotions.
Then, for the next three days, he vanished completely.
The messages I sent him disappeared into the void, with no reply. I knew why. He and my parents were busy preparing for Valentina’s birthday party.
They had chosen this day to send me away, so they could celebrate her without having to
about the unwanted eyesore in their family.
worn
On the morning of the party, Damian arrived as planned to pick up “Valentina.”
2/2 50.0%
Tarant wait any
anymore.
A family built on deception–I didn’t need it either.
Late that night, in the silence, a message from Kevin lit up my phone.
[Tina is the one taking risks to be by my side. If I protect you too much, it wouldn’t be fair to her.
Mom and Dad only treated you that way so Tina would willingly switch places with you.”
You were the one making mistake today, but forget about apologizing. You’ll always be special to me–I’d never force you.]
I stared at the screen–and suddenly, I wanted to laugh.
Kevin really had a way of twisting the truth. If I hadn’t heard everything with my own ears, I might’ve actually believed him.
For the next five days, the housekeeper was the only one who brought me food. Aside from Valentina occasionally stopping by to gloat, I didn’t see anyone else.
For the first two days, Kevin still sent me messages–checking in, updating me on his schedule and trying to soothe my emotions.
Then, for the next three days, he vanished completely.
The messages I sent him disappeared into the void, with no reply. I knew why. He and my parents were busy preparing for Valentina’s birthday party.
They had chosen this day to send me away, so they could celebrate her without having to worry about the unwanted eyesore in their family.
On the morning of the party, Damian arrived as planned to pick up “Valentina.”
Before getting in the car, I made one last call to Kevin.
The phone rang for a long time before he finally answered.
“Babe, I’m really busy right now.”
In the background, I heard him talking to someone else.
“The screen’s too small–replace it. And this spot won’t do either…”
Beep, beep, beep.
He had hung up.
I stared at the phone for a moment, then pulled out the SIM card, tossed it into the toilet and flushed. Without looking back, I got into the car.
The birthday party began.
Kevin watched as Valentina took the stage, radiating confidence.
Then, suddenly, he thought of my call that morning. A strange sense of unease crept into his chest. He pulled out his phone, ready to call me back-
But before he could, Valentina called him out from the stage.
“I’m so lucky to have Kev–he’s a brother who isn’t related by blood but loves me like
familyl”
AL
2/2 60.0%
08:49 Sat, 24 May
May BG
Before getting in the car, I made one last call to Kevin.
The phone rang for a long time before he finally answered.
“Babe, I’m really busy right now.”
In the background, I heard him talking to someone else.
“The screen’s too small–replace it. And this spot won’t do either…”
Beep, beep, beep.
He had hung up.
I stared at the phone for a moment, then pulled out the SIM card, tossed it into the toilet and flushed. Without looking back, I got into the car.
The birthday party began.
Kevin watched as Valentina took the stage, radiating confidence.
Then, suddenly, he thought of my call that morning. A strange sense of unease crept into his chest. He pulled out his phone, ready to call me back-
But before he could, Valentina called him out from the stage.
“I’m so lucky to have Kev–he’s a brother who isn’t related by blood but loves me like family!”
The crowd applauded.
Kevin swallowed his unease, forced a smile and played along with the perfect celebration.
Sat 24 May
Chapter /
5
