3
Nora shyly stomped her foot, “I never cried under the covers, brother, you’re so annoying.”
Laughter from the family filled the hall.
I stood there frozen, my vision starting to blur again.
When I was in school, I won an award for dancing, and Nora cried all night. My brother threw away all my dance costumes and shoes, forbidding me to dance anymore.
My heart grew colder with every beat..
“Alright, let’s eat!”
Ezra saw my expression, a hint of reluctance flashing on his face.
He pulled me to sit next to him, “Don’t be stubborn. Once your leg heals, we’ll get married.”
If it were the old me hearing this, I would’ve jumped up in joy and hugged him.
But now, my heart was unusually calm.
Nora gave me a look full of jealousy, quickly hiding her emotions, and smiled as she pushed the cake in front of me.
“Sister, today is Mom’s birthday. It’s rare for our family to be together.”
I lowered my gaze and spoke softly, “My mom’s been dead a long time. Her memorial day isn’t today.”
Nora was at a loss for words.
The stepmother graciously tried to smooth things over.
“You child, your sister rarely comes back. As a younger sister, how can you not know to yield a bit?”
My gaze landed on the stepmother’s neck, staring at the familiar and precious emerald necklace.
Sensing my look, the stepmother straightened up and intentionally touched the necklace.
3:02 PM
<
That was my mom’s favorite thing.
Once she was gone, it was safely kept in a safe.
I never thought it would appear around the stepmother’s neck.
“This is my mom’s. Why are you wearing it?”
I lunged madly to snatch it away.
The stepmother pretended to be scared and stepped back, yet when no one was looking, she whispered mockingly in my ear: “Your mom couldn’t win against me, and neither will you against my daughter. Everything you and your mom had will be ours sooner or later.”
My eyes turned red, and I squeezed her neck tightly.
Everyone finally reacted and rushed to separate us.
The stepmother leaned tearfully against Dad.
Dad, feeling sorry for her, pointed at me and cursed.
“You rebellious daughter, your mom’s been dead a long time. I gave the necklace to your Aunt Fiona. If you’ve got a problem, take it out on
me.”
I rushed forward desperately, trying to snatch it away.
My stepmother feigned fear and stepped back. But when no one was looking, she whispered mockingly in my ear, “Your mother couldn’t defeat me, and neither will you against my daughter. Everything that belongs to you and your mother will eventually be ours.”
Fury welled up inside me, and I tightened my grip on her neck.
Only then did the others react, rushing over to separate us.
My stepmother collapsed into Dad’s arms, sobbing.
Dad, sympathetic to her, pointed at me and shouted.
“You ungrateful daughter, your mom’s long gone. I gave that necklace to Aunt Fiona. If you have a problem, take it up with me.”
“Apologize to your Aunt Fiona, or leave this house. I don’t have a daughter like you.”
My brother kicked my chair, “Mom and Nora kindly brought you back to reunite, and here you are causing trouble. Is that what you want?”
I looked at him defiantly, my face pale.
“That’s Mom’s necklace. Why should the other woman wear it?”
“Brother, do you still remember Mom?”
My brother froze.
In a fit of rage, Dad flipped the table and threw a cup at me.
“You rebellious daughter, get out!”
Ezra and my brother immediately shielded Nora.
Blood trickled down my forehead, blurring my vision, and dizziness overwhelmed me.
Before I lost consciousness, Ezra rushed over and caught me.
