Inherited lies as a Mafia bride

Chapter 3: A Familiar Stranger.

“And I came with goodies,” she announced, lifting the bags she had in her hands like some kind of peace offering.

Elena stood by the door too stunned to move. She had never expected to see her sister in her house. The living room felt smaller with Melissa in, but none of that seemed to have bothered Melissa. She continues walking, heels clicking against the floor as she wanders, her gaze lingering on the books stacked by Elena’s chair and her diploma on the wall beside it. Everything about Elena’s quiet life stood in stark contrast to Melissa’s sophisticated presence and her sister's disappointed face confirmed it all.

“You're here,” Elena said, silently scolding herself for stating the obvious

Melissa smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Don’t look so shocked. I can visit my own sister whenever I wish, can’t I?”

The words were light, but the air between them tightened. Melissa rarely came without a reason and Elena knew that her graduation wasn't even a good enough reason to bring Melissa Whitmore through her doors.

Walking towards the kitchen with her perfume following her trail like a loyal pet, Melissa dropped the bags on the kitchen island, revealing their contents.

Still trying to figure out what Melissa was up to Elena followed.” Tell me why you're really here?”

Melissa’s laugh was soft, real, and different from her usual practiced expressions. “Always so suspicious,” she says, reaching into the bag and taking out boxes of accessories. “I just thought I’d check on you.”

But Elena knew that was a lie. Something was off, still she couldn't place a finger on it. She knew her twin well enough to at least sense that. Melissa was hiding something and getting her to say when she doesn't want to, was definitely going to be a hassle that she wasn't prepared for tonight.

The silence stretched, heavy, with no word from them both, until Melissa finally broke it. “Happe happe graduation, Elly, ”she said with a child's enthusiasm, a teasing smile on her face, and her hands outstretched with a wrapped gift in them.

Elena was so focused on what her sister could be after, that she hadn't even noticed her retrieving a wrapped present from the bag. But it was the way she did it that caught her attention the most

And just with those words all the built up tension began to melt away as it was slowly being replaced by a warmth that spread through Elena's chest, bringing a smile to her face. The childlike words brought back a flood of memories, those of little Elena showering Melissa with gifts and affection.

Back then, Melissa would always pretend the gestures were too childish and act displeased by them, but in the end, she always kept them all. From the most expensive to the seemingly worthless gifts, like a torn dollar, a bunch of designer tags, to many more of her silly presents, which Melissa had accepted when they were young.

It was always accompanied by the words ”happe happe’ and the purpose of the gift coming after. That was her little Elena's wishing ritual.

And hearing those words from Melissa made Elena relax a bit, relieved to know that her sister didn't come seeking trouble.

She reaches out to take the gift from Melissa’s hands,” You know you didn't have to bring a gift, Lissa” she says with a smile

“I know” Melissa replied tilting her head with a half-smirk

Elena unwrapped the paper slowly, careful not to tear it. Inside lay a sleek leather-bound planner, the kind that screamed expensive. She traced the golden edges with her fingers, the smell of new paper and luxury ink filling the air.

“A planner?” Elena raised a brow.

“You’re a graduate now,” Melissa said lightly, but there was a sharpness in her tone. “You’ll need something to plan your future with. Appointments, goals, maybe even a real Whitmore career.”

The words landed like a sting, the familiar jab a painful reminder of Melissa's long-held disapproval of her becoming a doctor. Melissa never missed a chance to remind her of the difference between them. Still, Elena forced a smile. “It’s thoughtful”

Melissa leaned against the counter, folding her arms, studying her twin as though Elena were a stranger. “I was at your ceremony, you know”

Elena’s head snapped up, surprised. “You were?”

“Not officially. Wanted to meet a client and your graduation made that possible”

For a moment, Elena couldn’t answer. The image of Melissa coming to a University's gathering just for a client wasn't her style at all. “Why didn’t you come say hello?”

“Because you looked somewhat happy,” Melissa said, her voice lower now. “And I didn’t want to ruin it.”

That admission stunned Elena more than the gift had. Her sister, who always thrived in the spotlight, chose to stay hidden for her to be comfortable. That wasn’t the Melissa she knew.

“Still,” Elena said softly, “I would’ve liked you there”

Melissa smiled again, a little less reserved this time. “Maybe next time I’ll make an entrance.”

The silence between them settled, but it wasn't as heavy as the last time. Elena turned the planner over in her hands, realizing it wasn’t just a gift nor was the confession. It was Melissa’s awkward, twisted, and imperfect way of saying she still cared.

“Well,” Melissa finally said, straightening up and reaching for her purse and a small object Elena couldn't clearly make out, having not noticed earlier. At the time, Elena decided not to press for details. “I should get going. I’ve already disturbed your peace enough.”

“You could stay for dinner,” Elena offered, to her own surprise.

Melissa shook her head. “Another time, Elly. I just wanted to see you, say congrats and…” she paused “ remind you not to forget where you came from.” she added, her heels clicking against the tile as she moved toward the door.

Elena followed, watching her twin sister’s figure retreat. For a moment, she noticed Melissa’s hand tighten around that same object, and looking closely, she saw it was a small box.

Melissa glanced back with her sharp smile. “Don’t look so shocked when I show up again. You never know when I might.”

And with that, she was gone, leaving Elena in the doorway, planner in hand, a pile of unopened gifts on her island, and with a feeling of uneasiness as if night was too good to be true.