Chapter4
1039 Words
Cassy's POV - Pouring It All Out
George has not been his usual self for days now. The man spent most of his time in his dimly lit mansion, a shadow of who he used to be. His presence was barely more than a whisper in the air, a ghost lingering in a place once full of life. Was my sister such a big deal that her absence could reduce a man to this? It made me furious.
I had done everything for him. I cooked, cleaned, and made sure he ate, yet he barely acknowledged me. His grief was suffocating, suffocating me.
I slammed a plate into the sink, gripping the edges of the counter to steady myself. Why am I the only one who sees what's best for him? Malissa had always been everyone's favorite, always one step ahead. But now, she was gone. And I was here. I was the one taking care of him. So why wasn't he looking at me?
I needed to be patient.
A slow game always had the most satisfying win.
I took my phone and dialed his number, biting my lip as it rang. It had been days since he willingly picked up my calls. And today was no different. I exhaled sharply and grabbed my coat. I'd go see him instead.
On second thought, I decided to call our family home first and see my mother.
The house that had once been filled with warmth and laughter now felt like an abandoned relic of the past. Dishes piled up on the counter, biscuit wrappers scattered over the coffee table. A thin layer of dust coated the surfaces, untouched, as if time had stopped the day Malissa disappeared.
"Mum?" I called out, my voice breaking the heavy silence. No answer. But I knew she was home. Her shopping bag still hung behind the kitchen door.
I found her in her room, lying on the bed, still in her nightdress. She barely moved when I entered.
"Mum, you haven't even bathed today?" I sighed, pulling back the curtains to let in some light.
She groaned, shielding her eyes. "I don't feel like getting up."
I crossed my arms. "Malissa is gone, Mum. Sitting here like this won't bring her back."
Her head snapped up, her grief-ridden eyes locking onto mine. "Don't speak about your sister like that."
"She was always the favorite, wasn't she?" I scoffed, shaking my head. No matter what I did, it was never enough. Malissa was always first. And now? "Now, you sit here mourning her while I'm still here!" My voice cracked, but I pushed through. "For once, look at me."
"Your sister, your sister! That's all I hear in this house. I'm tired already. Can't I be happy without Malissa trying to ruin it? For goodness's sake, she's dead!"
"Don't say that!" My mother screamed back at me. "She's your sister, and you'll give her the respect she deserves, no matter what."
"I'm not disputing that fact, but I need to breathe, for God's sake." I broke down into tears, not feigned ones now. I was tired of being compared to Malissa all my life. "I'm tired, mum. I want to leave my life now. Is that too much to ask?"
My mum was sitting on the couch as she watched me. Didn't she believe that I was truly hurt? Did she think that I was pretending?
"You remember that time I came back home hungry, but instead you asked me to wait because you were still preparing the meal and the one remaining was the one you left for Malissa? "Do you remember?" I asked. I took a seat opposite her, watching her eat.
"That was years ago and she was sick. I wanted to make sure she took her drugs when she came back from school."
"Do you also remember that time when I came home with a bad result, and she did so well? You and dad got her a Christmas gift, while I got a teddy bear which I hated so much."
"We promised you guys that anyone who improved in school would get plenty of gifts at Christmas. Didn't we? You even agreed to it." My mother kept her food on the table in front of her. "What are you trying to do? Why are you bringing this up?
"I'm bringing it up because I know that no matter what I do, I'll never be enough for you. It was always Malissa and never me. I know you wish I was the one who died in the accident and not Malissa."
"Cassy?"
"Don't interrupt me, all I want to tell you is that I will fight to get what I want. No matter what you or anyone else thinks."
Mum's lips parted as if to speak, but nothing came out. I could see the guilt flicker in her eyes, but I didn't wait for her to find the right words. I had made my point.
I turned to leave but paused at the door. "I'm going to marry George."
Her gasp echoed in the room. "Cassy, you can't, "
"Watch me."
I walked out before she could argue.
She called after me but I didn't respond. I had made the statement I wanted to so it was time to leave. I checked my time, and it was 5:30 pm, it would soon be time for George to be home. I wanted to make him a delicious meal since he had started working, so I went to the supermarket to shop for food.
At George's Apartment
I let myself in with the spare key, smiling as I stepped inside. The house was clean, just as I had left it. He's finally listening to me.
I busied myself in the kitchen, preparing dinner. The aroma of slow-cooked steak and buttered vegetables filled the air. Tonight, George would realize I was the woman he needed. I would make sure of it.
The sound of an engine outside made my heart leap. I rushed to check the mirror, fixing my hair and dress. I rushed to open the door for him even before he knocked, but was shocked at who I saw.
"Luis?"
- Writer
