Chapter 42 The excited squeal echoed from the marble staircase. A small figure in a pink princess dress came flying down the steps, brown curls bouncing with each step Daisy My little sister. My father and my stepmother Victoria's daughter. My chest tightened as she launched herself toward me, arms spread wide for a hug. I stepped back instinctively. Daisy's nickname for me had always been special - a combination of my name and her obsession with chocolate. Only she called me that. She had always looked at me with such uncomplicated adoration. Daisy crashed into my legs anyway, wrapping her small arms around my waist. "You came home! I missed you so, so much!" Her joy was pure and infectious. It should have melted my heart. Instead, I stood frozen, my body rigid as she squeezed me. …Hi, Daisy. She pulled back to beam up at me, gap-toothed smile bright enough to power the city. "Daddy said you went to live somewhere else! Where did you go? Did you miss me? Did you bring me presents?" "I lived in another city. I worked at a hospital." "Wow! That's so cool!" Her eyes went wide with hero worship. "Can you fix my dolly? Her arm broke and she's really sad about it." "I only treat real patients." Daisy's face fell immediately. "Oh…" She looked down at her feet. "Sorry." Mary cleared her throat. "Miss Sable just got home, sweetheart. She's very tired from traveling. Why don't you let your sister rest?" Mary's interruption saved me from having to respond to Daisy's wounded expression. Guilt twisted through my chest as I saw the hurt in her innocent eyes. She didn't understand why her big sister was being so cold. She'd done nothing Wrong But every time I looked at Daisy, all I could see was the timeline that had shattered my world. Ten years old. Born the same year Mom died. Which meant Dad was already with Victoria before Mom died. He had been cheating on her. While Mom was fighting for her life in that hospital bed, Dad had been with another woman. Victoria had been pregnant with his child while my mother was dying How long had it been going on? Did Mom know about it? "Sabelate?' Daisy's voice came out small and uncertain Are you mad at me?" I looked down at her upturned face. Brown eyes exactly like Dads. The same stubborn chin. Even the way she tilted her head when confused mirrored his 1/3 Chapter 42 mannerisms perfectly. She's his daughter. Just like I am. I'm not mad at you, I managed. It was the truth I wasn't angry at Daisy. But I couldn't bring myself to be warm either. Every time I looked at her, I saw the timeline of Dad's betrayal playing out in my mind. The sharp click of heels against marble echoed from above. Victoria appeared at the top of the staircase, then descended, her expression shifting to motherly concern as she approached. Oh, sweetheart, Victoria cooed, kneeling beside Daisy and smoothing her curls. 'Don't look so sad. Some people just need time to adjust when they come home, especially when they're… not used to being around family anymore." Victoria's eyes flicked up to meet mine with sympathy. "Mary, Victoria called softly, "why don't you take Daisy outside? The fresh air would do her good after all this… tension." Mary nodded quickly, clearly eager to remove the child from whatever storm was brewing. "Come along, Daisy." As soon as the front door closed behind them, Victoria's mask slipped slightly. "Really, Sable," she said, her voice taking on a disappointed edge. "I understand you're going through a difficult time, but taking it out on an innocent child? That's beneath even you." She paused, letting the criticism sink in before continuing with false warmth. "But welcome home, dear. We've all been so… worried about you." The pause before worried was deliberate. Like she'd considered other words first. Concerned? Frustrated? Angry? I ignored her and was about to walk past her. But she stopped me. "Three years is such a long time." Victoria smiled. "You look… different. More mature. I hope life outside taught you some valuable lessons." The subtle implication hung in the air. You were immature when you left. Hopefully you've grown up. "I learned quite a bit, actually." "I'm sure you did." Victoria's smile never wavered. "Your father missed you terribly, you know. There were so many nights he couldn't sleep, worrying about you out there all alone." "If be was really worried," I started, but swallowed the words back down. Arguing with her was pointless. If he was really worried, he wouldn't have betrayed Mum "You were saying? Victoria's tone sharpened with interest. "Hothing important Victoria moved closer, her expression shifting to one of wounded confusion. "Sable, I hope you don't harbor any resentment toward our family. Your father married me so you'd have someone to take care of you Daisy has always wanted a big sister to look up to." Our family. The possessive pronoun made my skin crawl "And we are family now, Victoria continued All of us together. 2/3 Chapter 42 I stared at her Family Right Im so glad you understand Family is everything, isn't it? Before I could respond the delivered the killing blow. "Oh, speaking of family spares we redecorated your mother's study It's Daisy's playroom now Victoria's tone was casual, conversational the brstately hows all the natural light in there! "What?" Mam's study. The sanctuary where she d spend quiet afternoons reading while I did homework at the small desk by the window Victoria blinked "The study, dear We converted it for Daisy. Children need space to play, and that room was just… sitting there." Song there. Like Mom's memory was just taking up space. Like her sanctuary didn't matter anymore. "How dare you My voice came out deadly quiet. "Now, Bable- How dare you touch her study! Victoria stepped backward, one hand flying to her throat in apparent shock. "Sable, there's no need to shout. I simply thought- "You thought what? That you could erase her from this house completely?" "Of course not? Victoria's voice took on a hurt, martyred tone, I would never disrespect your mother's memory. I simply believed she would want that space to bring joy to her family." The casual way she said her family-like Victoria belonged in that category-made my vision blur with rage.