The Sister He Scorned, Now Adored

a Hard

I walked past the living room again, a phantom ache in my chest. Holden was still glued to Kamryn's live stream, o

him to ignore, and even then, I doubted he'd connect it to anything beyond inconvenience. I

: He wouldn't know when I left. He wouldn't

e days. Three days to

tertwined with him. I started with the clothes. Each item I packed was a deliberate choice, shedding the skin of the old Chelsea. The dresses he' d complimented, the sweat

ried rose from my high school graduation, which he' d tucked behind my ear with a rare, gentle touch. The

b tracing his smiling face. A tear, hot and unwelcome, escaped and blurred his image. For a moment, th

dhood diary. A small, worn book with a flimsy lock that had

ath hitched. Every entry, every childish sc

today. His fingers are so strong. I

. He said I could be a famous designe

day talking to her. My heart feels lik

almost embarrassing to read. I remembered how he' d protected me from bullies, how he' d patiently tutored me in math,

he lost love, but for the lost girl who had poured her entire

nside me whispere

ket, the dried rose, the photo-all met the same fate. Each tear was a physical release, a severing of a tie. The sound of ripping

off, and pushed it deep into the back of my c

stairs. Then another. F

against my ribs. H

window. "H., darling, did you tell your little sister about our

r. The words landed li

home? H. and I just got back from the florist. We picked out the most exquisite orchids for

dercurrent of something else. A subtle

a small, elegantly wrapped box in her hand. Her perfect smile didn't quite reach h

d, my voice fla

n-law!" she chirped, extending the box. "A little t

tissue paper, was a delicate silver bracelet. A tiny, in

ne Holden had given me every Mother's Day, saying the

taste in my mouth intensified. I felt

a frown creasing his brow. "Che

, is she allergic to silver, H

inder of his supposed affection, now weaponized by his fiancée. The casual di

zying sensation washing over me

stly, Chels. You're always so

't used to such thoughtful gifts." Her gaze flickered to me, a glint of malice

lden didn't even notice. He was al

but his tone lacked conviction. He

. He was defending her. Again. He always d

e in my hand. This wasn't a gift. It was a declaration of war. A final, undeniab

This utter, dismissive cruelty. This was

asn't just right. It w