Chapter Seven

 

 

“Rory!” Alana suddenly shrieked.

 

Everyone snapped their heads toward her, visibly stunned and caught completely off guard by Alana’s sudden outburst.

 

Rory’s mother rushed over to Alana, grabbing her arm. “Why are you screaming all of a sudden?”

 

Rory feigned a hurt, confused expression. “Why are you screaming like that, Alana? Do you have a problem with me kissing Richard?”

 

Her mother, Amanda, let out a forced, nervous laugh. “What are you talking about, dear? Of course your sister doesn't have a problem with you and Richard. Alana’s just not feeling well today, so she’s a little irritable.”

 

“Your mom’s right, Babe,” Richard chimed in, his nervousness written all over his face.

 

Instead of backing down, Rory decided to push her sister’s buttons even further. She stared down Alana, who was clearly on the verge of tears from sheer frustration but couldn't say a word.

 

“Do you have a problem with me, Alana?” Rory asked coldly.

 

“What?” Richard blurted out beside her. “Babe…”

 

Rory raised an eyebrow. “It just seems like you have quite an attitude, Alana. Did I do something to upset you?”

 

“Rory!” Amanda snapped. “Why are you looking for a fight with your sister? I told you, Alana is just under the weather!”

 

Rory turned her focus to her mother. “I’m not looking for a fight, Mom. I’m simply asking what her problem is—because she looks furious.”

 

“Your sister is sick! Stop stoking the fire and aggravating her feelings. There you go again, starting drama out of nowhere!” Amanda scolded.

 

Rory wanted to laugh out loud. Was she the one starting drama? She hadn't even done anything yet, and Alana was already beside herself with rage. The veins in Alana’s neck looked ready to pop, her entire face flushed bright red.

 

“Mom, I’m not doing anything. I’m just clearing the air so I know if I did something wrong,” she replied smoothly to her mother. Turning back to Alana, she called softly, “Alana…”

 

“What?!” Alana rasped through gritted teeth, her thread of patience wearing dangerously thin.

 

“Are you jealous?”

 

“What?!” Alana shrieked, completely unable to contain her exploding emotions any longer.

 

“Babe!” Richard reprimanded, quickly grabbing Rory’s hand. “Why are you picking a fight with your sister? Your mom already said Alana isn't feeling well.”

 

Amanda lost her composure as well, glaring daggers at Rory. “Rory, listen to me. I don’t like your tone, and I certainly don’t like that question you just asked your sister. Why on earth would Alana be jealous of you two? It’s not like your sister has feelings for your fiancé!”

 

Hypocrites! Every nerve in Rory’s body wanted to scream the word in their faces.

 

Taking a deep, controlled breath, Rory pretended to look thoroughly bewildered, glancing back and forth between the three of them.

 

“W-What are you all saying, Mom? Richard?” Rory gasped, faking total disbelief. “Why would you guys even think that? I would never think Alana had a crush on you, Richard! I know my sister—she’s not like that. Besides, Alana loves me, so I know for a fact she’d never fall for you.”

 

Richard recoiled in shock. “Then why did you ask if she was jealous?”

 

“Yes, I asked if she was jealous, but not because of you! I meant she might be jealous of you taking up all my time, leaving me with none for her between you and my job. I can’t even remember the last time my sister and I had some quality bonding time,” Rory reasoned smoothly.

 

“Oh… I see,” Richard stammered, looking abashed.

 

Amanda cleared her throat awkwardly. “Then make yourself clear next time, dear.”

 

“I didn’t mean anything bad by it, Mom. Besides, you all just snapped at me out of nowhere before I could even finish my sentence,” Rory insisted.

 

“I-I’m sorry, dear,” Amanda offered, her apology completely insincere.

 

Rory turned back to Alana, who was staring blankly. Reaching out, Rory took her sister's hand. Alana flinched in surprise before quickly catching herself.

 

“What?” Alana asked, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.

 

Rory let out a light laugh, pulling Alana into a warm hug. “Is my baby sister sulking because she missed me? Is that why you’re so moody? Do you want us to go on a sister date so you'll stop being so cranky?”

 

Meanwhile, Alana’s face twisted into an unsightly mask of discomfort. She glanced over Rory’s shoulder at Richard and Amanda, who were both frantically shaking their heads at her. Left with no other choice, Alana reluctantly wrapped her arms back around Rory.

 

“I’m sorry, Rory. I just missed you,” Alana cooed softly into her sister’s shoulder.

 

Yet, Rory could feel the absolute lack of sincerity in her words. In the past, she would have been overjoyed by Alana’s affectionate gestures. But now that she knew just how cruel and treacherous her sister truly was, the sickening fake act was glaringly obvious.

 

Rory pulled back from the embrace, taking hold of Alana’s wrist. “I’m really sorry. I have to work so hard because it’s for all of us—especially with all the debts we have to pay off. Don’t worry, once things settle down financially, I’ll buy you another branded bag, just like before.” She smirked playfully. “Just one, though! I don’t want to drain my savings.”

 

Rory adjusted her grip, shifting her fingers slightly up toward Alana’s pulse point. She knew her sister was pregnant, and it was obvious Alana had zero intention of coming clean—just as she had no intention of admitting her ultimate betrayal.

 

“Really? Thank you so much, Rory! You’re the best sister in the world—”

 

Rory’s expression abruptly turned dead serious. “Alana… be honest with me.”

 

“What is it this time, Rory? Is there another problem?” Alana replied, her irritation flaring right back up.

 

Amanda stepped forward, attempting to pry Rory’s hand off Alana’s wrist, but Rory didn't budge. Instead, she tightened her grip on her sister’s arm, squeezing so hard it felt as though she meant to snap the bone.

 

“Ouch!” Alana cried out. “Rory, you’re hurting me! What are you doing? Let go!” Alana thrashed, trying desperately to pry herself free.

 

“Rory!” Amanda’s voice boomed across the room once more.

 

Richard surged forward—his face pale with genuine panic. He grabbed Rory’s shoulder. “Babe… what is wrong with you today? You’re acting out of control.” He shot a nervous, frantic glance at Alana, who was squirming in pain. “B-Babe, you’re hurting your sister! C-Can you please just let her go and calm down?”

 

“R-Rory!” Alana winced in agony.

 

Rory stared cold daggers into her sister’s eyes. After a few agonizing seconds, she slowly relinquished her grip on Alana’s wrist.

 

“Alana, I know Dad is gone now. And I know Mom is far too lenient with you, while I’ve been too busy with work to keep a close eye on you. But that doesn’t mean we’re completely excluded from your life decisions, Alana!” Rory yelled, leaving everyone in the room stunned silent.

 

“Rory, what on earth is your problem?!” Richard could no longer refrain from yelling.

 

“Shut up!” Rory barked back. Tears welled up in her eyes as she swung back toward Alana. “You’re only twenty-one, Alana! You have your whole future ahead of you—this isn’t the life Dad envisioned for you! So why on earth did you go and get yourself pregnant?!”