Too Late to Win Her Back!

Katelyn's POV

I arrived at the airport to pick up my older brother, Derek. Last night, I called him to tell him about our mother's death. He had been working abroad and booked the earliest flight back. Now, as I stood near the arrival gate, arms crossed, I scanned the crowd.

Derek's flight had just landed when I spotted him in the crowd. His shirt was half-tucked, half-untucked-a far cry from his usual neat appearance. He always had everything under control, always well dressed and composed.

But now, he looked different-frazzled. Mother's news must have had completely thrown him off balance. He walked quickly, his suitcase swinging at his side, with worry clear on his face.

We locked eyes. There was no relief, no comfort. Just obligation.

"Derek," I said.

"Katelyn," he replied.

That was it. No embrace. No condolences. Just our names, exchanged like strangers making an acquaintance. No one would believe if I told them that this is how two siblings, meeting after years, greet.

Without another word, I turned and led the way to the car. He followed. The moment we stepped outside, the cold air pressed against my skin, yet I felt nothing. The wind howled around us, but inside, I was empty.

Derek broke the silence as soon as we reached the car. "Why weren't you with my mother?"

I didn't react, only unlocking the car doors. He threw his suitcase in the trunk and got in.

"She was fine last time I saw her," he continued, voice tight. "She was in good health. And now she's gone? Just like that?"

I sighed and started the car. "She was robbed on her way home. The thief stabbed her. Once in the lungs, once in the abdomen. She died before she reached the hospital."

A heavy silence followed. I kept my eyes on the road. The weight of his stare pressed against me, but I refused to meet it.

Derek exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "How did this even happen?"

I gripped the wheel tighter. "It happened. That's all."

"You should have been there," he snapped.

I clenched my jaw. "I had to pick up my son from school, Derek. I have responsibilities."

"She was dying, Katelyn."

"And where were you?" I shot back, my voice flat. "Abroad. Working."

Silence.

I pressed my foot on the accelerator, watching as the city lights flickered past us in the dark.

"And Scarlett? I have no idea where she is," I said, my voice flat. "We haven't spoken in years. And Dad? He's hopeless. He spent his whole life just following Mom's lead. Every decision he ever made was hers. Now that she's gone, he's completely lost. He can't decide a thing on his own."

Derek rubbed his temples. "I just can't believe it."

I didn't reply. Derek was always Mom's favorite, and he loved her deeply. They shared a bond I never had with her. But deep down, I mourned her death too. I hadn't cried yet-maybe because I couldn't bring myself to do it in front of my family.

When I heard the news, Mom's face flashed in front of me. She didn't like me much, but a mother is still a mother. We were a family, no matter how distant we had grown. Sometimes, you feel things you never thought you would.

I wasn't close to her, but even I wished she had lived longer. No one should die far away from their family.

The journey was quiet, as we were lost in our thoughts. Derek grieved sometimes, I wished to comfort him, but just couldn't do it.

The only sound was the hum of the engine. The streets stretched endlessly ahead, and yet I felt no sense of direction.

"This is too much for me to handle. I'll stay at Dad's for a few days," Derek said finally.

I nodded. "He's at the old house."

Derek spoke again, softer this time. "I just hope he stays strong through this."

I didn't look at him. "He will. You're here now."

"Have you been working anywhere lately?" he asked, watching me.

I glanced at him briefly. "No."

Derek paused, then continued, "So, everything's still the same. How's... your relationship with Ethan..."

"We'll be at Dad's soon," I cut him off before he could finish. It was enough to stop any more questions about Ethan.

The rest of the drive passed in silence. Neither of us spoke. And, I again drifted back to the turmoil inside me about my family. The constant push and pull against the sentiments and the way I had been treated by them.

Mom had always adored Derek. Dad had always preferred Scarlett. And me? I had been the forgotten one, the extra piece in a family that never needed me. No matter how much I tried, I was never enough.

The memories came flooding back. The whispers, the accusations, the blame. How they turned their backs on me. How I learned to stop expecting anything from them.

Derek could blame me all he wanted, but he had never been there either. He had always been the golden child, the one who could do no wrong. He never had to fight for their love. He never had to hear them sigh in disappointment when he walked into the room.

As we passed familiar streets, I thought about what awaited us. The funeral. The mourning. The forced condolences from people who never really cared. And Scarlett. She would have to come back.

That thought settled in my mind, heavy and unshakable.

Scarlett would come back.

The sister I hadn't seen in ten years.

And now, she was coming back.

The woman my husband had loved for ten years was coming back.