Chapter 6

From the moment I walked through the door, I realized that Arnold had been staring at me. What was he thinking? Was he shocked by my return? But I don't want to be speculating about what's going on in his mind anymore.

I walked toward him with feigned composure and said, ”I'm sorry for your loss."

I need to get out of here as soon as possible. It had really taken a lot for me to get out of that dark hole, and being back here was going to send me back down that path.

"I'm sorry for your loss as well." He stood up and embraced me.

His good smell made me feel dizzy, and his embrace made my heart race. But I knew I shouldn't think anything of him because he was my twin sister's mate.

I pulled away from the hug and smiled at him awkwardly.

"Can you please take Luna's sister to her parents' house? " He asked Mary, and she nodded.

Just like that, this place started to take my identity, yet again, he called me the luna's sister. He didn't even have the decency to address me by my name. All I ever will be to them is Sideline's sister, and I will never be more than that.

I knew the way to my parents' house, but the pack has evolved so much. They were new houses, and the place honestly looks good.

Mary and I kept our silence as we walked there. She has always understood me since childhood, and I'm glad that she noticed that I needed some quiet to work through my emotions before I met my parents yet again.

"They will be happy to see you." She reassures me. Lying to each other was better than facing the truth. My parents were monsters, and I don't know if that's changed, but I don't think it has.

"I'll take it from here." I said, hugging her as we stood in front of my parents' house. I wish I could call it home, but it was never home to me. Rather, I suffered the most here.

I took a breath before I knocked, and I felt my heart beat out of my chest when I heard the footsteps.

My blue eyes met my father's blue ones. They are the reason why I knew they were biogically my parents. I wish I'd never got his eyes, though. I wish I never got any part of him, but you can choose your friends but never your family.

He opened the door without saying a word and gestured me with his hands to come in.

'Run.' My wolf Koria said anxiously. I don't know why she was sensing the trouble, but I ignored her.

The house just felt eerie, and I regretted going in as soon as I stepped inside. I didn't see the slap coming, but I felt the aftermath.

"How dare you come back here after humiliating us like you did?" My father's hand smashed into my face. His beatings always made me numb back then, and it seems like my body never forgot because I didn't feel the pain physically. Rather, I felt it emotionally.

I knew they wouldn't be happy to see me, but I hoped that maybe the years had changed them or maybe missed them, but it was just false hope.

"You're the reason why your sister is dead. You only had one duty damn it. I asked you to protect her. But you ran away from her, leaving her to face the danger alone!" He shouted, landing another slap on my cheek.

"l --" I couldn't even respond as unwanted tears fell down my eyes. It was like I was relieving my childhood.

My life has never mattered to them, and even today, they think that I was supposed to put my life on hold for her. I'm not allowed to leave her side. I bet she's laughing from hell right now because she used to egg them on and enjoy the pain I got as a result.

"We'll talk about all of this when we come back. As of now, we have to go in there as a united family front." My mother said, and I looked at her in disbelief.

I don't know why I still expect anything from her or why her behaviour still surprises me.

This is the first time she has seen me in 5 years, but she couldn't even greet me properly. All she cares about is appearances in front of other people.

"This is not over." My father said looking at me menacingly.

I could take my father on if I wanted. I forced Jonah to teach me how to fight because I was tired of being taken advantage of and abused, but my morals and values wouldn't let me do that to my own father.

l was back to being their puppet yet again. They told me how to behave when we got there and what to say.

This isn't what I came back for, but I was back in the cycle I ran away from.

I got all sorts of looks as soon as we got to the memorial. Some were curious, others disgusted, and some were of sympathy. None of these people know me, and they never wanted to, but they've always had something to say about me.

I felt somebody staring at me, and I knew who it was, but I didn't look back at him.

I took a seat next to my parents.

Every time somebody said something about Sideline, I internally scoffed. They made her sound like an angel. They called her humble and kind, and some said she was loving and caring. I guess she faked it well for all of them because I knew her for exactly what she was, and she was none of those things.

It's quite surprising that Arnold didn't want to say anything. I didn't want to, but I kept my eyes on him for most of the service. He looked nonchalant, or maybe he was numb to the pain.

We all stood up when it was time for the burial. My dad had his hands full with my sobbing mother. Seeing her in that state was really heartbreaking, but for some reason, I still didn't cry.

I wanted to cry because despite everything, my twin sister didn't deserve to die, but my heart refused to cry for her.

We all stood up when it was time for the burial. My dad had his hands full with my sobbing mother. Seeing her in that state was really heartbreaking, but for some reason, I still didn't cry.

I wanted to cry because despite everything, my twin sister didn't deserve to die, but my heart refused to cry for her.

"Mommy!"

As I was lost in my thoughts, I felt a hug around my leg. It was obviously a child, as he was only up to my calves.

His chubby little hands gripped my skirt tightly, and his blue eyes held tears as he looked at me with longing and excitement.

“Mommy, you're finally home. I missed you so much.”