After That Night

Chapter 6 Between Us.

“Vienna, are you back?”

The door opened slightly, revealing Stewart Cooper, her elder brother.

“Yes, I'm back,” Vienna replied, forcing a cheerful smile.

Stewart frowned as he studied her face.

“Why are your cheeks swollen?” he asked, concern crossing his face.

Vienna's lips trembled. She hesitated for a moment before bursting into tears.

“Stew…” she sobbed. “Violet poured hot coffee on me! And after that, she even tried to hit me!”

Stewart's expression changed instantly.

“What? Violet did this?” he muttered, shaking his head. “Twice in one day? This is becoming too much.”

He knew his sister had a fiery temper, but he found it hard to believe she would go this far.

By the time Violet returned home, the entire Cooper family was already gathered in the living room. Stewart, Jane, and Harold Cooper sat waiting for her.

Vienna sat on the couch with a bandage wrapped around her arm. She looked miserable, but beneath her pitiful expression was a quiet sense of triumph.

Violet paused in the doorway. She could feel the judgment in their eyes even before anyone spoke.

“Violet!”

Jane's sharp voice broke the silence.

Violet stepped forward, lifting her chin.

“Do you have any idea what you've done?” Jane demanded, barely controlling her anger. “Your sister is hurt again, and you stand there as if nothing happened!”

“Mum, please, let me explain—”

“Explain?” Jane interrupted. “What is there to explain? Vienna told us everything! You poured hot coffee on her! Violet, how could you be so heartless?”

Stewart stood nearby with his arms crossed.

“Violet, I didn't want to believe it,” he said quietly, “but you're making it hard for me to defend you.”

Violet's jaw tightened.

“Stew, do you really think I'd do something like that on purpose?”

Before he could answer, Jane cut in.

“Enough! I don't want to hear any excuses. Apologize to your sister. Now!”

The room fell silent.

Violet clenched her hands at her sides before slowly turning to face Vienna, who was trying to hide a smirk behind her tears.

“Violet, I said apologize!” Jane repeated impatiently.

After a brief pause, Violet spoke, her voice calm but cold.

“I'm sorry,” she said. “I'm sorry that lying is the only way you know how to get attention.”

Vienna's smile disappeared.

“Violet!” Jane gasped.

But Violet had already turned away. She headed toward the stairs, her heels clicking against the marble floor.

“Take another step, and you're out of this family!” Harold warned coldly.

Violet stopped.

For a moment, she stood with her back to them, a faint smile appearing on her lips.

Inside, she was shaking, but she refused to let them see how much their words hurt her.

Vienna watched from the couch, secretly enjoying the argument. The moment Violet stopped, a small smile returned to her face.

Harold's expression darkened.

“Did you hear me?” he snapped.

Violet turned to face him.

“I heard you.”

Her calm response only made him angrier.

“Enough of this attitude!” Harold shouted as he stepped toward her.

Instead of backing away, Violet took two slow steps toward him.

Harold raised his hand to slap her, but Violet reacted quickly and caught his wrist before he could strike her.

“Never again, Harold,” she said quietly, her eyes fixed on his. “Don't you ever try that on me again.”

The entire room fell silent.

Jane stared at her in shock, while Stewart froze, unsure whether to intervene. Even Vienna looked surprised by Violet's reaction.

Harold's face turned red with anger. He yanked his hand free and glared at her.

“You have no fear anymore, do you?” he growled.

Before Violet could respond, he snatched the glasses from her face and threw them to the floor.

Crack!

He ground them beneath his shoe.

“Let's see how well you can see now, four eyes,” he sneered.

Violet stared at the broken pieces on the floor. The humiliation stung, but she refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry.

Vienna watched with a satisfied smile, her arms crossed over her chest.

“Stewart!” Harold barked. “Get her luggage. She's leaving this house for good!”

Stewart hesitated briefly before heading upstairs.

A few minutes later, he returned carrying two small bags and a polythene sack. Without saying a word, he dropped them at Violet's feet.

She looked down at her belongings, then slowly raised her head to face her brother.

“Keep them,” she said coldly. “I'll be able to afford better ones sooner than you think.”

Nobody responded.

Violet straightened her shoulders and walked toward the door.

She had spent years trying to earn their love, always hoping that one day they would finally accept her as their daughter and sister. But standing there, with her belongings at her feet and her glasses broken on the floor, she finally understood that she couldn't keep begging people to love her.

Without another word, she walked out of the Cooper mansion.

This time, she wasn't going to look back.