5
I simply turned my laptop screen towards them, and pressed play on the security footage from my room.
They all froze when they saw the video.
Celine’s face went pale. She hadn’t expected me to have a camera.
“As you can see, I didn’t touch her at all. So I don’t believe an apology is necessary, is it?” I turned to Celine. “But I should probably remind you, sister, to be more careful when you walk next time. Try not to trip over your own feet again.”
Celine’s expression shifted again. “I… I was just so nervous. I know sister has been very cold to me, and I know she resents me for staying in this family, for no longer being the only daughter.”
“And I know she’s upset that I’m so close with Caleb and the boys, so whenever I see her, I get scared. I’m so afraid of making her angry that I just panicked and fell. Sob…” She buried her face in my mother’s shoulder, crying. “Mom, I’m so scared that sister blam- es me, that she thinks I’ve stolen everything that was supposed to be hers. That’s why she’s so cold to me…”
My mother immediately began patting her back comfortingly. “Don’t think such things. You are our other daughter. How could you have stolen anything from Rory? My love for both of you is the same.”
“You silly girl, always overthinking.” Alex shook his head in exasperation, then looked at me. “But Rory, I hope you truly don’t hold these things against Celine. We all love you just the same. You have been far too cold to her.”
“Rory, Celine is a very good girl. You can’t be so willful,” my father added, his tone weary, as if everything was always my fault.
I was already used to this from my dream–no matter what, as soon as Celine opened her mouth, all blame shifted to me, even moments after I had just been proven innocent. The anger and resentment I once felt had long since vanished.
I smiled at them. “Why would Celine think that? I don’t feel like anything has been stolen from me. Unless… does Celine think she’s stolen something from me? I’m just a girl who’s woken up from a three–year coma. I’m still getting reacquainted with everything.
That’s why my personality is like this. I’m the same with everyone.”
Celine froze, her eyes darting around before she started crying again. “I… I’m just afraid sister doesn’t like me. I know I’m not a real
Rhodes, I can’t compare to her…”
And so, another ridiculous drama concluded with the Rhodes family comforting the heartbroken Celine.
