CHAPTER FIVE
745 Words
Chapter Five
“Mum,” Briella said. They both stared at the phone for about three seconds before Genevieve spoke up.
“Can you just let us eat in peace? Especially you—you know how easily you lose your appetite. I can’t just abandon my food because I’m angry,” Genevieve scoffed, then continued eating.
“Don’t be like that. She probably just wants to wish us a happy birthday in advance,” Briella said, then answered the call, switching it to hands-free.
“Hello, Mum—”
“And why did you take so long to pick up the call? You probably don’t want to answer me, just like your younger sister, right?!” Briella’s mother, Jennifer Tristan, cut her off before she could say anything else.
“Hi, Mum. I’m at the dining table with my sister, so my phone wasn’t with me…” Briella replied calmly.
“Whatever. Your dad and I wanted to know if you both are preparing to come home next month for your brother’s birthday,” Jennifer said, once again cutting Briella short.
Genevieve scoffed at her mother’s words but quietly continued eating.
Kendrick Tristan—their elder brother, first child, and only son of the Tristan family—had always been the golden one. Their parents cherished him like he was their only child. Kendrick got whatever he wanted, and it shaped him into someone arrogant, entitled, and often unkind.
“Is that the only reason you called, Mum?” Briella asked, her voice soft, though her eyes carried a fragile hope—that maybe her mother would mention what she longed to hear.
Genevieve glanced at her sister’s plate. Her own was already empty, but Briella’s still looked untouched, save for a few spoonfuls. She knew exactly what this call would do to her sister: after it, Briella wouldn’t eat again.
“What else should I call you for?” Jennifer’s voice snapped over the line. “You girls must come for your brother’s birthday next month. It’s a very important day for him. I don’t care if you’re writing an exam—you will be there!”
Briella opened her mouth to reply, but Genevieve snatched the phone from her hand.
“Why else would you call us?” Genevieve shouted. “All you ever care about is that stupid son of yours! We’re your children too, you know!”
“How dare you call your brother stupid?” Jennifer’s voice rose sharply. “Your brother wants you there, so you must come. Unless you want me showing up at your place!”
“You’re free to come if you want,” Genevieve retorted coldly. “That’s if we’ll even let you in. As for your precious son’s birthday, don’t even dream of us coming.” With that, she ended the call.
Briella sat in silence, staring into nothing. Her calmness only seemed to fuel Genevieve’s anger.
“All you do is sit there and keep quiet, letting her talk down to you however she wants—just because of him! She doesn’t even remember our birthday, Briella! Isn’t it obvious they don’t care about us?” Genevieve snapped, her voice rising.
“Stop acting so soft with Mum and Dad—or with that son of theirs. They don’t care. We’ll never have that perfect family you dream about. We’re better off alone—just you and I—”
“Enough, Genie,” Briella cut her off, her voice suddenly firm. She rose from her chair, her calmness cracking just a little.
“Don’t talk to Mum like that again. It’s disrespectful. Don’t call our elder brother stupid, and don’t speak of our family that way either.” She took a deep breath. “You can go to your room now. I’ll clear the table.”
Genevieve clenched her fists. “Really, Briella? You’ll just keep being like this? Keep pretending—”
“I said enough!” Briella snapped, sharper this time. But then her tone softened as she stepped forward, pulling Genevieve into her arms. “Come here. I’m fine. We’ll be fine. Mum and Dad do care about us. Okay? Now go to sleep, baby. Tomorrow will be a happy day.”
She placed a light kiss on Genevieve’s head.
Genevieve sighed and, though unconvinced, chose silence. She headed to her room. The sisters exchanged a soft good night before parting ways.
---
✨End of Chapter Five✨
- Writer
