Hinto

f the house. I was sitting on a park bench in the pouring rain, my clothes soaked throug

ike fate, like he was mean

just offering a quiet, steady presence. He was the first person in years who

e' d hold me at night and whisper promises, tel

d that

n she started calling him late at night, crying about her loneliness? Or was it the moment he st

many times it had simply scarred over. But seeing him stand with her, against

trying to earn a love that should have been given freely. I

ice startlingly clear in the

ouths agape. Abel' s grip on my arm loosened. They had expecte

her said, a smug satisfaction in his voice.

right thing, dear," my mother adde

saw a flicker of something in his eyes. Guilt?

y, reaching for my hand. "We'll get through

as no "us." He was promising a future to

e. "Say it again," she demanded, her finger hoverin

ltures circling their prey. Annabell pressed re

artfully. "She worked so hard on her paper, and I couldn't stand seeing h

s glare was a warning. My father's frown

he camera. "It's true," I said, the words tasting like ash. "

d the room. The crisis was averte

e villain, the jealous sister. Annabell, ever the magnanimous victim, posted a f

she came to my room. The tears were gone, r

ed, leaning close. "Everything that

This was her life's mission. She had hated me since the day we were born, two halves of