A Love Rewriting

Episode2: A Sister’s Betrayal

CAMILLE.

I folded the last of my dresses into my suitcase, my fingers trembling slightly as she pressed the fabric down. One week had never felt so far away. The week had dragged on like never before. The thought of my birthday, the thought of finally leaving this oppressive house, and the knowledge of being married off to a man seemed like light at the end of the tunnel.

My breath caught as a soft knock came from the door. I frowned, turning over my shoulder. "Come in."

The door creaked open, and to my surprise, it was Bella. I rolled my eyes, expecting another dramatic confrontation. "What now, Bella? Can you give me tonight at least?" I muttered, turning back to my suitcase.

"I want to talk," Bella said quietly, her voice lacking its usual sharpness.

I turned around skeptically. Bella was standing just inside the room, her shoulders slumped, her expression almost…contrite? "Talk about what?" I asked, my voice flat.

Bella hesitated before taking a step closer. "About…well, us. About everything."

"Us?" I snorted, crossing my arms. "Since when do you talk about us? Outside being a b***h, of course.”

Bella let out a sigh and ran her hand through her hair. "Look, I know I have been cruel to you. Harsh. I am not being the sister I need to be, and I am sorry."

I froze; this apology came out of nowhere field, at which I could say nothing. What could I say anyway? I stared at Bella, searching for some hint of mockery. All I saw was sincerity.

"You're… sorry?" I echoed in amazement.

"Yes." Bella's voice trembled. "I've been jealous of you, okay? You were always so close with Dad. I wanted that too, but instead of trying to build my own relationship with him, I took it out on you. And now…now you're leaving, and I regret not being better to you."

I stared, my mind fighting to wrap itself around the words. I had never seen Bella so vulnerable. It felt foreign, almost unreal.

"Why now?" I asked carefully.

"Because despite everything, you're my sister," Bella said, breaking a little. "And I don't want you to leave without us trying to fix things. I know it'll take time, but…I want to try. If you're willing."

My heart softened despite myself. The years of hostility and rivalry between us couldn’t be erased in a single conversation, but this… this felt genuine. I swallowed hard, nodding slowly. “I’m willing to try.”

Bella’s face lit up with a tentative smile. “Really?”

“Yeah,” I said. “But it’s going to take more than one apology.”

"I know," Bella said quickly. "And I'll prove it. Starting tonight."

I raised an eyebrow. "Tonight?"

Bella stepped closer, bubbling with excitement. "Let's go out. Just the two of us. Before you get married and leave. One last night as sisters."

I hesitated, the little warning bells in my brain screaming caution, but Bella's eagerness proved to be a bit contagious. "I don't know……"

"Come on," Bella urged, yanking on my hands. "For once, let's have fun. No fighting. Just us. Please?"

A long silence Later, I let out a sigh. "Fine." Deep inside me, I’d always wanted a girls night or tight knit relationship.

Bella let out a shriek of excitement and promptly began digging into my closet. "We're gonna make you look great," she said, throwing dresses onto the bed.

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" I asked, eyeing Bella with humor.

“This is your last night as a single woman," Bella said with a wicked grin. "You need to be bold."

Before I could say a word, Bella had grabbed a bright red dress and held it up like a trophy. "This one. Try it on.”

I rolled my eyes but did as instructed. An hour later, we were getting dolled up: Bella was doing my makeup while teasing me about needing to lighten up. Finally, we were ready.

The drive had been filled with chatter from Bella, and I felt a weird sense of warmth at this new friendship developing between us. But as we pulled up to a club, a knot began to form in my stomach.

"It'll be fun," Bella said reassuringly, pulling me toward a side door.

Inside, the music was loud, the lights dim and pulsing. People greeted Bella with familiarity, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that my stepsister frequented this place often.

“I don’t know about this,” I muttered, already having second thoughts.

“Relax,” Bella said, steering me towards the bar. “You’ll thank me later.”

Bella ordered two drinks while I looked around. She tapped me and handed one to me. Then she took a sip of her own and smiled. "Here. Drink up. It'll help you loosen up."

I eyed the glass warily. "I don't really drink."

"Tonight's an exception," Bella said with a teasing nudge.

Reluctantly, I took a small sip. The drink was sweet, almost deceptively so, and I found myself taking another. Bella encouraged me, chattering brightly as I slowly drained my glass.

"Let's dance," Bella said suddenly, grabbing my hand.

"I don't think—"

"No excuses," Bella interrupted, dragging me to the dance floor.

The beat drummed around us, and Bella moved with a fluidity that contrasted my awkwardness. Bella nudged me to follow her lead. As I moved awkwardly, I slowly started to feel…weird. My limbs felt heavy, my head foggy, and a rising warmth left me both sleepy and uncomfortably aroused.

"Bella," I said, my words slurred. "I don't feel right."

Bella smiled sharply , her expression fake and bright. "Let's get you some water."

She pulled me from the dance floor down a quiet hallway into a back room. Inside, Bella lowered me onto a plush bed.

"Stay here," Bella said, pushing the hair back from my face. "I'll get you some water."

I weakly protested, but my eyelids grew heavier by the second. The sharp smile of Bella was still stuck in my brain as the door clicked shut behind me.

Warning bells began ringing in my head as soon as I was alone. Something was wrong. I tried to get up, but my body refused to listen.

In a few minutes, the door creaked open once more. A male figure entered; his tall and strong frame and fluid stride silhouetted in the dim light, he closed the door behind him and started unbuttoning his shirt to the floor.

My heart was racing as the warning bells rang louder as he approached the bed, leaning over me. The alluring masculine scent of smoky pine wood filled my nose and I let out an involuntary moan as I struggled to keep my eyes open, but the fog in my mind was too strong, pulling me under.

And then everything went dark.