CHAPTER 14 Sisters
CHAPTER 14
Sisters
Brielle arrived at my office without an appointment.
She looked nothing like the woman who had demanded my villa.
No designer handbag.
No expensive jewelry.
No perfect makeup.
She looked exhausted.
"I just want to talk."
I nodded toward the chair.
She sat down but couldn't meet my eyes.
"I always hated you."
She laughed bitterly.
"I thought I did."
I remained silent.
"Mom told me you wanted everything."
"That you were trying to replace me."
"That Dad loved you more."
She wiped away a tear.
"I believed her."
I looked at my sister for a long moment.
"Did you ever wonder why I kept helping you?"
She frowned.
"The loans."
"The businesses."
"The times I covered your debts."
"I never asked for anything in return."
Her eyes slowly filled.
"I know."
"No..."
"I know now."
For the first time in our lives...
There was no competition.
No jealousy.
Just two daughters realizing they had both been manipulated.
"I don't expect you to forgive me," Brielle whispered.
"I don't."
"But I hope one day..."
"...you'll remember me for who I become."
Not who Mom made me."
I stood and walked toward her.
After a long silence...
I hugged her.
She broke down completely.
Outside my office window, the city continued moving.
Inside...
Two sisters finally stopped fighting each other.
Later that afternoon, Ethan found me standing alone on the balcony.
"You did the hard thing."
"I don't know if it was the right thing."
He smiled faintly.
"The hardest ones usually are."
I laughed for the first time in weeks.
A genuine laugh.
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"You've been saying that since we met."
"And you keep proving me right."
