Chapter 2

2.

Tessa.

The name was like a cold thorn buried deep in my memory. Every breath I took felt like a dull ache because of her.

She came into our lives ten years ago.

I was eight; she was seven.

She was the orphaned daughter of our former estate manager. Because of some old debt or some unspoken guilt, my parents brought her in.

Ten years ago, she entered this mountain estate as the Sterlings' honorary adopted daughter.

When my parents brought her home, she was hiding behind them, her eyes red and puffy.

"Addy, this is your sister, Tessa. She's part of the family now. You have to take care of her, okay?"

My mom patted my head, her voice sweet, but her eyes were overflowing with pity for Tessa.

My dad knelt down and told her, "Tessa, this is your home now. This is your big sister, Addy. You two be good to each other."

At first, I was happy.

I thought I finally had a sister to share my toys, my secrets, and my parents' love with. Or at least, what I thought was love.

But everything changed fast.

My favorite dolls would always end up broken. Their hair would be hacked off, their clothes ruined with markers.

Every time I found them and ran to Mom crying, Tessa would stand there with big, watery eyes.

"Addy, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I just wanted to help you brush their hair…"

Mom would pull her into a hug, whispering comfort, before turning to me with a frown.

"Addy, she's younger. she didn't know. You're the older sister; you have to share. It's just a doll. I'll buy you a new one."

Then my homework would go missing right when it was due.

When I complained, Tessa would bite her lip, tears streaming down her face.

"Addy, I didn't know. I thought it was scrap paper… Please don't be mad…"

And my parents would always say the same thing.

"Addy, she's still adjusting. She's probably just trying to get your attention. Be patient. Just redo the assignment."

Slowly, it moved from dolls and homework to birthday gifts from my friends, then to the rewards I earned for being top of my class.

If I cherished it, it would be destroyed or lost in an accident.

And Tessa was always the one who was just being clumsy, or didn't know better, or was the poor little sister who needed to be forgiven.

My parents went from "Addy, share with her" to "Tessa is young, don't be petty."

Eventually, it turned into pure annoyance with me.

"Addy, why are you so small-minded?"

"Tessa has been through enough. Can't you just be nice to her?"

"You're the sister. Act like it!"

While I was being lectured, Tessa was busy devouring my space and my parents' affection.

She learned how to be the perfect, obedient, dependent daughter in front of them.

But when it was just us, she showed a completely different face.