My Sister's Billionaire Fiancee

/-Scarlett-/ I groaned as the phone rang by my bedside. I picked it up with a yawn. All traces of sleep vanished from my eyes the minute I saw the ID. Mom?. A part of me leapt with joy. My mother called me after fifteen years. The other part was indifferent. I had been the one calling for fifteen years and even then, she wasn't so keen on talking to me. You would say 'hey, blame it on the divorce', but what does that really have to do with me?. My mother walked out on my dad when I was six because he was battling with stage four cancer. My twin sister, Charlotte, was already by her side, ready to leave. She expected me to do the same. They both did, but when I looked into two sad hazel eyes, I couldn't do it. I couldn't leave my dad by himself. I couldn't leave him to die so I chose him. We had nothing when we moved here but he was trying. He fought to see me through school until college. I had to study extra hard to skip as many classes as I could to take care of him. I was surprised he lived that long. During those times, I called my mother. I was grateful she answered even when she didn't want to talk. She wouldn't call back if she missed my calls. She would never reply to my messages. She would never let me come over for Christmas. When Dad died five years ago, I was lost and helpless. Even then, she didn't want me. I stopped calling, hoping she would miss me but she never did. I stared at the screen with a sigh. I wasn't ready to talk to her but I had a nagging feeling it was an emergency. Mom would never call me out of the blue. I answered just before the last ring. "S-Scarlettt…" I stiffened at the croaky voice. Is she crying?. "Mom, are you okay? Why…" "No, I'm n-not… I'm not okay… your sister… " She broke into a sob. " Charlotte? What happened, mom? Talk to me please " I began to panic. What did Charlotte do? Was she hurt?. " She… she committed suicide… she killed herself, Scarlett. Your sister took her life… " She sobbed. My blood ran cold. Suicide? Charlotte? How? Why?. She had a perfect life. She was living her dream as the America's sweetheart. She was even engaged to a billionaire. Why the hell would she take her life?. " Mom… " "I need you, Scarlett. I need to see you please… please dear let me see you… " She pleaded in between sobs. " You're all I have left… " It broke my heart. I couldn't get angry at her. We only had each other now. "I will come, mom" I promised. "Today? Please come today… I can't… I can't stay alone… " " I really wish I could but I don't have money to… ." " I'll pay for your flight, just get here alright. Please honey" She pleaded desperately. " Okay mom". As soon as she hung up, I took a deep breath to calm myself. Slowly, my brain began to process the information I just received. Charlotte committed suicide. My twin sister is dead. I grabbed my phone and dropped a message for her. I don't know what I was expecting but no reply came as usual. Unlike mom, Charlotte ignored me completely. My calls and messages were ignored as well. It hurt me for years. It still does but I never stopped trying. I followed all her social media accounts and celebrated her successes even though she never acknowledged me. Despite that, it hurt me to know she was no more. Tears rolled my cheeks as I relived our lovely moments together as kids. For the next two hours, I was crying my heart out. I didn't even notice my mom sent me money until she called. I got on an emergency flight to New York. I was shocked to see the driver waiting at the airport as soon as I landed. The ride home was quiet. Memories flooded my mind throughout the ride. I didn't realize how much I missed New York. My heart broke as I met her fragile figure at the door. She looked so small and vulnerable. Her eyes were swollen and red from crying. "Scarlett… oh dear, you're really here" She hugged me tightly. She broke down on my shoulders and I tried my best to console her. Few hours later, we were ready to talk. I had so many questions to ask about Charlotte but before I could, she was already talking. "They say she fell from the roof of her house ". She paused to look at me. "I don't believe them". "Why?" I asked curiously. "She had no reason to kill herself. Charlotte was happy. She was planning her UK tour and wedding too. Do you know your sister was engaged to Carter Stone, the famous billionaire?" She asked. I nodded slowly. "So why would she kill herself?. Charlotte tells me everything. If something was bothering her, she would tell me. She wasn't depressed. Infact, Charlotte would never let anything get to her. She would rather loose money. Your sister was practically worshipped so why the hell would she take her life?" . It was a good point. I wondered same too. Why the hell?!. "So you think someone killed her and covered it up with this suicide story?" I asked. "Yes! My daughter was murdered. My baby was killed before she could enjoy her life to the fullest. We can't let this slide, Scarlett. If we do, thru might come for me too and you would be alone in this world" She sobbed. Another good point. " So who do you suspect?" I asked finally. " I don't know " She sighed. " Any one she might have beefed? Any threats? Suspicious activity? Anything? " I probe further. " Charlotte was very peaceful. Only a fool would hate her. She was an angel, believe me. She would never hurt anyone " Mom defended. What about me?! I wanted to voice the question so badly but I didn't want to come off as insensitive. Everyone becomes an angel when they die. I would have to forget whatever she did to me. My feelings are not important at the moment. "So how exactly are we going dig out the truth, mom?. If this is really a murder then everyone is a suspect including the workers at her house" I stated. "You're right. We need to uncover the truth. Only few people know Charlotte is dead" She began and I shrugged. "Yeah?" I had a feeling I wouldn't like where the conversation was headed but I pushed the skeptism aside. " I want you to replace her".