The Jealousy That Silenced Me

When Hector Chatwin carried Emma Jent to the car, I was already dead.

And he believed every lie she'd fed him. He wouldn't even pick up my calls.

Back in that basement, Emma flicked a lighter and threw it on me, but I was too flabby to move.

"Sienna Jent, you think you can compete with me?" Her sneer cut through the dark. "I'm prettier. I've got the background. You're not even in my league. So why should you get a man like him?" Her voice dripped with venom. "If I hadn't turned him down, you think he'd even look at you?"

She was right. Years ago, she'd brushed him off—he was broke, struggling. So our family offered me up instead to marry him.

Now she wanted him back, even if it meant killing me.

She'd made sure no one would find me down here and sealed every exit. Then, in order to complete her performance, she burned her own arm.

And Hector? He was out of his mind with worry.

"Emma, don't be afraid. I'm here with you, like always." He glared into the shadows, his face twisted with fury. "I can't believe how cruel Sienna's been to you. She wanted you dead!"

Emma raised her tear-streaked face, eyes glistening. "No, don't blame Sienna. I'm sure... she's just scared."

"Why are you even defending her? She knew you were injured, that you couldn't leave on your own, and she still walked away. She's not fit to be your sister! A woman like that... if she dies in a fire, it's exactly what she deserves!"

I was hovering above them in spirit form. Each word cut through me.

Seven years of love—nothing but a lie.

The man I'd loved with everything now hated me, all because of Emma. And it wasn't the first time.

Years ago, she'd broken her leg right before a dance competition. She'd faced Hector, tearful, saying, "Don't be angry at Sienna. She didn't mean it. I forgot today was her birthday and still made everyone come watch my performance. I understand if she's upset."

She'd smiled, forgiving me so gracefully. But I knew the truth—she'd tried to push me. I'd barely dodged.

Hector's face had turned red with rage, and he slapped me. His first time, and he'd hit me hard.

"You knew Emma had an important competition, and you made her fall and break her leg! What were you thinking, Sienna? Just because your world is dark, does that mean you want to drag everyone else down too?"

His words stung more than the slap.

Everyone knew my world was dark.

I was blind in one eye.

Unlike Emma—vibrant, radiant, a star dancer. She was everything I wasn't.

And me? I was the girl with a blind and dull right eye.

People flinched when they looked into it.

There was no security camera in that corner, so I took the blame.

Even my own mother looked at me with disgust. "Sienna, she's your sister. How could you hate her so much?"