âThanks, Mara. I know Iâve got a lot to learn about being a big sister, and ever since Dadâs accident, youâve seemed pretty down. But trust me, things are gonna look up for us from here on out.â
Mara kept her gaze lowered, silent for a long moment before finally looking up and offering a small smile. âBetter eat up before it gets cold,â she said.
The table was adorned with four dishes, two prepared by Victoria, and two by Mara.
Maraâs cooking tasted a bit off, but Victoria graciously moved all of Maraâs creations to her side of the table and happily declared them delicious after a taste.
âEat up. Who knows? Someday you might not be able to have any more,â Mara said, her words laced with a deeper meaning.
âWhyâs that? Weâre sisters for life, arenât we? Or are you planning to stop cooking for me, Mara?
âWho can promise forever?â Mara explained. âCollege and all, we might end up in different places.â
âIâll choose the same city as you. That way we wonât have to split up!â
Unfortunately, Victoria had no idea what Mara was really planning. She thought this meal was a turning point in their lives as sisters, a sign of Maraâs forgiveness. She didnât realize that this dinner would mark the end of her own life.
After finishing her plate, Victoria suddenly asked Mara to pour her a glass of water, catching Mara off guard.
âAre you asking me for help?â In this household, it was always Victoria who took care of everything.
When had she ever dared to ask for anything from Mara? everything. When had she ever âYes, just like you said, maybe we wonât be sharing meals together anymore.â
But then, considering it might be their last meal together, Mara stood up and poured the water, her gaze lingering on Victoria, unseen, for a long time.
Victoria cleaned her plates thoroughly and went back to her room for a nap after the meal.
When Mara reopened the door later, she found Victoria unconscious.
Mara cradled Victoriaâs head, stroking her beautiful face. âOh, my dear sister, all these years under your shadow, and finally, Iâve had my wish. Youâve been such a good sister to me, and that Iâll always remember. From now on, Iâm going to live a good life!â
Maraâs laughter echoed lightly, feeling a sense of exhilarating relief she had bottled up for years.
Victoriaâs body grew cold in her arms, but Mara wasnât scared. Her fists clenched tighter, as if she had finally made a resolute decision.
Returning to her room, she called Balfour.
Hearing Balfourâs voice on the other end, she held her breath for a second. How she missed him, wondering if Balfour had thought of her too.
Her love for him was so deep that she would stop at nothing, even if it meant harming her very own sister.
She quickly made her requests to Balfour who, out of guilt, didnât suspect a thing and tenderly took care of everything for her, just as she knew her fatherâs last words would prove useful.
Still, Mara couldnât quite grasp what Ivy was talking about.