That was why I asked my dad to adopt her.
We slept in the same bed, ate together, and went to school together. We were closer than real sisters. She was good at her studies, and everyone loved her. Everyone praised her, and I felt proud to have such an outstanding sister.
But over time, I started noticing strange things. My friends stopped hanging out with me, and the boys I practiced hunting with no longer wanted to team up.
Instead, they all started hanging around Jane.
Even my parents started saying I wasn’t as thoughtful as Jane, that I wasn’t as sensible as she was. They gave Jane the master bedroom in the new house, while I was left with the smaller room.
But I didn’t see anything wrong with it.
By the time I realized Jane was behind all of it, she had already taken so much from me.
My parents’ love.
My master bedroom.
Even my friends at school.
I asked her why she did it, and she said, “Viola, don’t think I’ll thank you just because you asked your dad to adopt me! Why do you get to have loving parents and a grand home, while I’m just some abandoned orphan? I’m going to take from you—everything!
“You’ll lose to me—I’m sure of it!”
So, I tried to drive her away.
But I overestimated myself. I couldn’t make my family see how fake she was. My parents loved her even more, and my son and Leo trusted her even more.
In the end, I did lose. I lost everything.
I could feel my soul slipping away from my body. There were only five minutes left.
“Viola, don’t die, please! Look, your mom just sent you a message! She must have sensed that you’re in danger!”
Selena held up the phone to my face, trying to keep me from giving up.
I stared at the message on my phone.
[Viola, after Jane is discharged, she’ll stay at your place. Remember—lilies in the master bedroom, and repaint the walls blue. That’s what she likes. She’ll be out in two weeks. Move all your things to the basement. Jane has too much—there won’t be space otherwise.]
Selena’s hands shook as she held the phone. She was probably feeling hopeless too.
Here I was about to die, and my mom was worrying about someone else.
But that wasn’t new. I had known this for a long time.
My eyelids felt so heavy.
I was ready to go.
I was so tired.
Selena was crying loudly, but I couldn’t comfort her anymore.
On April 20th, I closed my eyes for the last time and slipped away.
