A make up

The blaring of Emma’s phone yanked her out of sleep. She sucked in a sharp breath, heart racing as her mind struggled to catch up with her body.

Still half-asleep, she swept her hands across the bed in search of her phone. Her fingers found it just as the ringing cut off.

“Argh,” she groaned, bringing the phone closer and squinting at the sudden burst of light.

“9:45 a.m.?” she muttered in disbelief as she glanced toward the slightly opened window, where a thin ray of sunlight fought its way through the narrow gap in the curtains.

She had been so exhausted the night before that she hadn’t even taken note of the room she booked, let alone bothered to pull aside the gold drapes that concealed the gigantic window.

Slowly, she got out of bed and checked the message that had popped on her phone.

It was from Lora.

“Hey, sister. Hope you had a good night and stayed out of trouble? Daddy’s event is at 5:00 p.m. at the Grand Savanna Hotel and Suites, VIP lounge. Don’t worry about the lounge pass. I’ll come pick you up and take you in myself.” 

Emma read the message as she walked over to open the curtains, letting the morning light flood the room.

She typed back a brief reply.

“Noted” 

Emma moved through the rest of the day mechanically. Brushing her teeth, showering, eating breakfast she barely tasted, replying to emails, returning calls. By the time the clock crept a few minutes past three, her phone rang.

Lora.

“Hey, sister. Guess what?” Lora’s voice bubbled through the line, brimming with excitement.

Emma frowned. Whatever Excited Lora usually came at her expense. 

And the sudden politeness? That alone set her on edge. Lora was never gentle without a reason. There was always something underneath.

"What?” Emma said, her tone flat.

“Daddy personally handpicked everything for us,” Lora said, lowering her voice as though sharing a secret. 

“The dresses, the jewelry, the bags, the shoes, everything for his fiftieth birthday. I’m sure you’ll absolutely love it.” Lora’s voice sparkled with excitement.

A faint smile tugged at Emma’s lips, but it faded almost immediately, replaced by a familiar ache.

When Emma was younger, Mr. Murphy never missed a single occasion of hers. 

He would visit the most expensive boutiques, picking out dresses and shoes himself, fuss over colors and fittings, sometimes even taking her along on shopping trips. 

But the moment Lora entered their lives, that attention vanished. The shopping trips stopped.

He now did all of those good things for Lora and barely paid attention to her. 

Emma inhaled deeply and exhaled, pushing the memories away from her mind. 

“Oh,” she said coolly. “That’s… nice.” her tone, dismissive.

“Well,” Lora went on, “since it’s just the two of us, I thought I’d come over myself. Dress you. And make this day special.”

Lora  paused and continued in a whisper “And apologize for all the times I’ve wronged you.”

Emma swallowed hard, her chest stung a little bit. 

The offer sounded really generous and sincere but she knew better. 

She opened her mouth to tell Lora not to bother, and just send everything with a dispatch rider, but before she could speak, Lora cut in.

“I know you’re angry with me,” Lora said softly. “I know I’ve hurt you… badly.”

She paused, and then came the sound of quiet sobbing.

“And I don’t deserve your love, or your forgiveness. Probably not ever. But please… for Daddy’s sake. And because we’re sisters. Please don’t say no.”

Emma scoffed quietly, pulling the phone away from her ear for a moment.

She knew Lora’s tears. Knew how easily they came when she needed them to. 

Knew how guilt had always been her sharpest weapon.

Emma scoffed and pulled the phone away, keeping her expression unreadable

“Fine.” she responded, whilst reminding herself to be on guard. 

Lora’s act might fool everyone else.

But not her.