Chapter 4 Author: Cherryblossom I was in the laundry room that afternoon, ironing one of Henry's shirts. It was a pale blue button-down, the kind he wore when Madeline took him out to some "important" family dinner, pretending like I didn't exist. The iron hissed against the cotton, smooth and rhythmic. That sound had become the closest thing to peace I had in this house. Until the door slammed open. "Hey! What are you doing?" Henry's voice came sharp and loud, his sneakers stomping all over my quiet. I didn't turn. "Ironing your shirt." "That one?" he asked, stepping closer. "That's my favorite! Madeline got it for me." I nodded, pressing the last corner. "Yeah, I figured. You left it crumpled on the floor." He huffed. "Well, don't screw it up." I was about to answer when he suddenly reached for the board, trying to grab the shirt while I was still ironing. The iron slipped. My hand twitched. Before I could stop it, the edge of the iron caught the fabric, and in a blink, a dark, ugly burn bloomed across the chest of the shirt. Crisp cotton turned black. I froze. Henry screamed, "What the heck?! So now you're taking it out on me? You're jealous, aren't you? You're mad 'cause Dad and I only care about Madeline!" I turned away, trying to breathe through the sudden tightness in my chest. But Henry didn't stop. "Well, you need to get over it! If you were nicer to me, maybe Dad would still let you stay in the house. But now…" He smirked. "Now I'm not so sure." I let out a dry chuckle. "You really do know how to talk like your dad." I took a breath, set the iron upright, then calmly lifted the ruined shirt off the board. "It's ruined," I said simply. I walked past him, over to the trash, and dropped the shirt in.. Henry shrieked. "Are you insane?! That was from Madeline! That's the nicest thing anyone's ever given me!" I turned to him, keeping my voice level. "It was just a shirt, Henry." He lost it. His face turned red, fists clenched at his sides. "You did that on purpose! You're just jealous of Madeline! You always ruin everything!"