Chapter 4 A pulse throbbed furiously between my brows . Felix laid a comforting hand on my shoulder , but I drew in a deep breath and gestured for him to step back . The next second , under his startled gaze , I kicked the door . It didn't give way the first time , so I kicked again . And again . Until the lock began shrieking with electronic beeps , its alarm blaring . Only then did the three people inside finally drop their act of silence . " Why are you so hot - tempered ? " Mother snapped the moment the door opened , slapping a label on me without hesitation . I met her eyes with a cold smile . " You changed the passcode , ignored my knocking , and I'm the one with a temper ? " Father quickly stepped in , trying to smooth things over . After all , Felix was an outsider , and appearances still mattered to them . " It was just a joke , why take it so seriously ? " I sneered and headed straight for my little storeroom of a room . Their faces shifted instantly . " Hey , Avery , you just got back , what's the rush ? Can't you at least bring us some tea , sit with us a while ? Do we even exist in your eyes as your parents ? " Strange . They had never once wanted me to serve tea or keep them company . That privilege had always belonged to Celie . Of course , they never actually let their precious darling pour the tea . No , this wasn't about me being unfilial . They simply didn't want me in my room . What had they done in there ? I wrenched my wrist free from Mother's grip , ignoring her shrill cries of " ungrateful " and " sinful child , " and shoved the door open . Celie sat on my bed , startled as her head jerked up . My belongings were strewn across the floor in chaos . And in her hand was a pair of scissors . On the ground , the doll my grandmother had made for me truly loved me - lay headless . - -the only one who had ever My vision blurred . " Celie ! " I lunged , seizing her hair with both hands . " Why would you destroy my doll ? Don't you know it was a gift from Grandma ? " She cried out in pain , tears spilling , yet her words were venomous . " Of course I know ! So what ? That old hag made you a doll but not me ! Everything in this house is mine ! Why should she love you more than me ? " Rage surged until I wanted nothing more than to strangle her . But my parents dragged me back , gripping my arms so hard they left deep red marks . " She's your younger sister - she's frail , she's delicate ! As the elder sister , can't you give in to her ? " 1/2 Chapter 4 The same excuse . The same words I had heard all my life . But this time , I refused to endure it any longer . Support +2 Share Chapter 5