The Sister
857 Words
Chapter 8 — The Sister
Priya’s blood turned cold.
Vanessa.
She stood at the entrance of the restaurant as if she belonged there.
Elegant heels clicked softly against the marble floor.
Her fitted red dress hugged her figure perfectly, drawing attention with every step.
Heads turned.
Staff noticed.
But Vanessa’s eyes were fixed on only one person.
Adrian.
A sweet smile spread across her lips.
The kind strangers would call charming.
Priya knew better.
That smile had fooled people for years.
She had seen what hid behind it.
Manipulation.
Jealousy.
Calculation.
“Vanessa…”
The whisper escaped Priya’s lips.
Beside her, Adrian remained still.
Completely still.
Yet Priya sensed the subtle tension in him.
He was observing.
Analyzing.
Every movement.
Every expression.
Nothing escaped him.
Vanessa stopped beside their table.
Her gaze moved to Priya first.
A look of fake concern instantly appeared.
“Priya!”
She rushed forward dramatically.
“Oh my God, I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”
Priya stared at her.
Speechless.
Vanessa grabbed Priya’s hands.
Cold fingers.
Tight grip.
Too tight.
“Why aren’t you answering my calls?” Vanessa asked breathlessly.
Priya slowly pulled her hands away.
“Why did you lie?”
Vanessa blinked.
Lie?
Her expression turned perfectly confused.
“What are you talking about?”
Priya’s chest rose and fell.
“You said Mother stopped breathing.”
For a fraction of a second—
Just a fraction—
Something dark flashed in Vanessa’s eyes.
Then it vanished.
Replaced by hurt.
“Priya…”
Her voice softened.
“You misunderstood.”
“No.”
Priya’s voice shook with anger.
“You lied.”
Vanessa sighed.
Then, to Priya’s shock—
She smiled.
Small.
Barely visible.
Only Priya noticed.
That smile said one thing.
Yes, I lied. What are you going to do about it?
Priya’s heart pounded.
Why?
Why would she do this?
Then Vanessa finally turned toward Adrian.
And Priya saw it.
The change.
The subtle shift in her posture.
The softened voice.
The carefully lowered lashes.
Vanessa was performing.
“Mr. Knight,” she said sweetly.
“It’s an honor to meet you.”
Adrian said nothing.
Vanessa continued anyway.
“I’m Vanessa, Priya’s sister.”
Adrian’s gaze remained unreadable.
Priya swallowed.
Something felt terribly wrong.
Vanessa smiled again.
“I’m sorry for disturbing your evening.”
Her voice turned apologetic.
“But Priya can be… naive.”
Priya stiffened.
Vanessa placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
A possessive gesture disguised as affection.
“She trusts too easily.”
Adrian’s eyes dropped to Vanessa’s hand.
His expression cooled.
Priya noticed.
So did Vanessa.
But Vanessa didn’t stop.
“She has a soft heart,” Vanessa continued, “which means people often take advantage of her.”
Priya frowned.
What was she doing?
Why was she talking like this?
Vanessa finally faced Adrian fully.
Then she said something that made Priya’s stomach drop.
“I hope she hasn’t caused you trouble.”
Silence.
Heavy silence.
Priya’s hands curled into fists.
Vanessa was doing it again.
Making Priya sound small.
Difficult.
Problematic.
Just like when they were children.
Adrian finally spoke.
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
“No.”
Vanessa smiled.
“Really?”
Adrian’s gaze sharpened.
“She hasn’t.”
His answer was short.
Cold.
Final.
Vanessa’s smile faltered.
Only slightly.
She recovered quickly.
“That’s good.”
Then—
Unexpectedly—
Adrian asked a question.
“Do you always lie to your sister?”
The restaurant went silent.
Priya froze.
Vanessa froze.
For the first time since arriving—
Vanessa lost control of her expression.
Just for a second.
Shock flashed across her face.
“What?”
Adrian’s eyes remained locked on hers.
“You texted Priya that her mother stopped breathing.”
His voice lowered.
“She didn’t.”
Vanessa laughed softly.
Too softly.
“It was a misunderstanding.”
Adrian didn’t blink.
“No.”
One word.
Sharp as glass.
“That was deliberate.”
Vanessa’s smile finally vanished.
The warmth in her face cooled.
Dangerous.
Priya had never seen anyone challenge Vanessa like this.
Most people fell for her act.
Adrian hadn’t.
Not even a little.
Vanessa straightened.
Her mask slipped further.
“You’re judging me from one mistake?”
Adrian answered without emotion.
“No.”
He leaned back slightly.
“I’m judging you by your reaction after getting caught.”
Vanessa went silent.
Priya stared.
Even she felt stunned.
Adrian had seen through everything.
So quickly.
Vanessa’s eyes hardened.
Then—
Her gaze moved to Priya.
And Priya saw it.
Pure hatred.
Raw.
Undisguised.
Vanessa’s voice became dangerously soft.
“Priya.”
A chill ran down Priya’s spine.
“Yes?”
Vanessa smiled.
But this time there was no sweetness.
Only warning.
“You should come home.”
Priya’s heart thudded.
That tone.
She knew that tone.
It meant trouble.
Before Priya could answer—
Adrian spoke.
“She’s staying.”
Vanessa slowly turned toward him.
The air became ice.
“What?”
Adrian’s voice remained calm.
But absolute.
“Priya stays.”
He paused.
Then delivered words that changed everything.
“With me.”
Priya forgot how to breathe.
- Writer
