Chapter 3
1036 Words
Rhea’s POV
My mother instantly held Sophia close, wrapping her arms around her like she was the most precious thing in the world. “Oh, sweetie, you don’t look that bad at all,” Mom said, her voice soft and cooing. “You’re perfect just the way you are. I wouldn’t want you to starve yourself just to watch your weight. That would break my heart.”
Sophia leaned into the hug, her sniffles turning into a small, shy smile. “Really, Mom? You think I’m cute like this?” she asked, tilting her head up with those big, innocent eyes.
Mom caressed Sophia’s hair gently, tucking a strand behind her ear. “Of course, my darling. You’re the cutest ever. Look at those cheeks, adorable! And your figure is just right, it shows how strong and healthy you are. Don’t change a thing.”
They stood there, lost in their little moment, laughing softly as Mom planted a kiss on Sophia’s forehead. It was like I never existed. Dad watched with a fond nod, Kelvin crossed his arms with a smirk, and Ethan just grinned like it was the sweetest sight.
Me? They suddenly forgot I was even standing there. My stomach twisted with jealousy, pain and burning. Why did Sophia get all the love? I’d been gone three years, starved and broken at that academy, and here I was, invisible again.
Inside, my wolf stirred, her voice a quiet growl in my mind.” Don’t let it get to you, Rhea. Everything’s going to be fine. Stay strong, don’t show weakness.”
I swallowed hard, forcing my face to stay normal. Just then, Mom glanced over, her eyes narrowing like she’d just remembered I existed. “Rhea, why are you so quiet? Did someone hurt you at the academy?”
Back then, yeah, I was loud, full of happiness. But at the academy, every word out of my mouth earned a lash or a day without food. They broke us down until silence was safer. Isn’t that what my family wanted? To “fix” me? I kept my gaze on the floor. “I’m fine, Mrs. Elena. No one hurt me.”
Mom gasped dramatically, her hand flying to her chest as tears welled up. She turned to Dad, sobbing. “Did you hear that? She called me Mrs. Elena! Not Mom. Oh, my poor heart, after all these years, she won’t even call me Mother!”
Sophia joined in right away, her eyes wide with fake pity as she stepped toward me. “Oh, Rhea, how could you? Mom loves you so much. Why are you hurting her like this with your words? If you’re mad at anyone, it should be me. It’s because of me that Mom loves me more than you, my presence just… drew her in. But please, don’t take it out on her.”
She reached out, trying to pull me into a hug. Her hands gripped my arms, but I stayed stiff, my body locked up. No way was I melting into that.
Sophia let out a sob. Everyone’s attention snapped to her. Kelvin, my younger brother, moved fast, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her close. “Hey, hey, it’s fine, Soph. No need to cry because of her. Rhea’s just heartless like always. Don’t waste your tears.”
Then Kelvin snapped, his eyes flashing with that anger as he pointed at me. “You just got back, Rhea, and you’re already giving Sophia a hard time? When will you ever learn your lesson? Seriously, it’s like you live to make her miserable.”
I stood there in confusion. What had I even done? I hadn’t said anything cruel to Sophia. And now I am being blamed? I’d gotten used to this now, the blame always landed on me. All I wanted was to escape to my room and rest, let my aching body collapse after the long trek home.
Instead, I bowed my head to Sophia, keeping my voice respectful. “Miss Sophia, I didn’t mean to hurt you. Please forgive me.”
Dad snapped then. “Why can’t you just apologize straight, Rhea? Without all this dramatic bowing? Say sorry.”
I dropped lower, bending my knees until I was kneeling on the floor.
I saw the surprise in everyone’s eyes, Dad’s brows shot up, Mom’s sobs paused, Kelvin’s smirk faded, Ethan froze mid-glare. Back then, I was stubborn as hell, I’d never apologize unless I was wrong, and even then, I’d fight it. But the academy had beaten that out of me. “I’m sorry,” I said again, head down.
Dad added. “It’s good you’ve learned your lesson, Rhea. For attempting to kill my daughter, your own sister. Now that you’re back in the pack, act well. No more trouble, or you’ll be out for good.”
Sophia approached me then. She reached down, touching my shoulder. “Rhea, you don’t have to kneel to me. I already forgave you. This is the first time you’ve ever apologized, you know? You’ve always hated me, misunderstood me for no reason. I’m glad you’ve learned your lesson, not like before, when you’d pretend to everyone that you were fine and then stab me in the back later.”
She turned to the others, her voice sweet and pleading as she looked around the room. “You all believe she’s changed, right? Can we give her another chance in the pack?”
Immediately, I saw the disdain in their eyes. Dad’s gaze turned icy. Mom wiped her tears but avoided looking at me. Kelvin's eyes go dark. Ethan stepped forward, his fists clenched at his sides, face twisted in suspicion. “Oh, come on, Rhea. You’re intentionally acting all pitiful, aren’t you? Despite having that dark heart of yours. Do you seriously think we’re that dumb to believe you’ve changed? We know you too well.” He paused. “She’s pretending. Don’t think I have forgiven you for coming home late just so you can act like a victim.”
I didn’t want to respond to those accusations, but maybe I had to because if I didn’t, they wouldn’t let me be.
- Writer
