Chapter 2: She's back

Evelyn’s POV

I sat at the edge of my bed, my hands showering around the coffee cup, my eyes were already ready and puffy for the crying of yesterday, that's the only thing I could do, cry.

“I'm having a business meeting tonight, don't wait up," Charlie's voice came from behind me. He was busy with his tie and a tight frown on his face when he saw my face.

“I'm having a media meeting in the house today, don't you dare think of coming downstairs with your face like that,” he spat the disgust and irritation was obvious.

"Okay” I whispered, clutching the cup in my hand like my life depends on it.

“Do you?" He finally looked up, his blue eyes flashing with a familiar, searing hatred. "Don't you dare embarrass me and be good, I don't want the media saying anything bad about today."

He opened his mouth to say something else when the sound of the door cut him off, “Ma'am, your parents are here to see you." The head maid said as she walked in.

“My parents, what are they doing here?" I asked myself.

“Would you go meet your parents or do you need an invitation to do that?" He asked, staring at me like he just wants me to disappear.

“I'll be down in a minute," I told the head maid who nodded and walked out of the room.

I quickly rushed over to my mirror trying to cover up my puffy eyes and all, "What are you trying to hide? They already know you're miserable here but they don't care, you're just wasting your time.” He said before walking out of the room.

I stared at my figure in the mirror, wondering if I would even get at least the affection from my parents that they had for my sister.

I walked out going to the sitting area, I forced a small smile on my face.

"Good morning Mom and Dad,” I said but was greeted with a frown.

"And what's good about this morning?" My mother asked, she didn't even try to hide the hatred in her voice.

“Is anything wrong, did I do anything?" I asked my voice barely above a whisper.

“Why the hell are you in this picture? Why the hell did you attend the gala meant for your sister?” She asked throwing a magazine on me.

"I… l… Since Serena was not here anymore and the gala was left unattended, the organizer said I should attend instead to avoid questions." I explained.

“So you think you can replace her, you think you can take her place and prove to be better.” My father accused, glaring at me.

"You've always been jealous of Serena. Ever since you were children, you've always wanted what belonged to her.”

" No, I didn't mean it that way, I just wanted to help.” I blurted out but was met with a slap on my face.

I stared at my mother in disbelief. "If you look at me once again then I'm going to hit you again.” She spat.

"You are the cause of her accident years ago and the reason she left in the first place”, my mother snapped. "Serena never lied to us.” She has always been our pride. We know exactly what kind of person you are, so what gave you the right to attend her gala or try to do anything to replace her?” She asked fuming.

I stared at her, the pain in my eyes was obvious, I wanted to cry, I wanted to scream out but I couldn't, I didn't want them to see me broken, I won't let it get to me. I looked at Charlie but he only glared at me.

I didn't expect much from them, I never did and helping had only put me in this situation.

“I'm sorry" I muttered under my breath.

“Sorry for what exactly, I have only tolerated you because your sister didn't want you hurt but I can't take this anymore. I can't watch you take everything from your sister, it's highly unacceptable." She yelled.

Tolerating, my own mother said she tolerated me, like I begged them to be born, like this was the life I wanted to live, I swallowed my pain and apologized again like I always did.

“I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have attended the gala, it's my mistake."

Just as my mother was about to say something, the sound of the front door swinging open stopped her, she turned to see who would dare burst in without an invitation.

I frowned at the sound of clicking heels. Who would walk into the house unannounced, I wondered as the steps drew closer.

I turned around and a woman stepped into the dining room archway, and for a heartbeat, I thought I was looking into a mirror that only reflected perfection and when my eyes settled on the face, I froze.

It was Serena.

She stood tall, her posture impossibly perfect as she balanced perfectly on two slender legs that were supposed to be useless. She looked stunning, wearing a glittering dress that made her look almost too good to be real. Her hair, that was an exact relic of mine that was now dull and dirty, flowed in waves over her shoulders and her doll-like green eyes sparkled with a calculated innocence.

"Charlie?" she whispered, her voice a practiced distressed tone.

Charlie looked like he had seen a ghost as he stood up so abruptly, his chair pulled back in a screech. His face was filled with absolute shock. "Serena?"

"I’m home, my love," she said, her lips curving into a soft, tearful smile.

In an instant, the cold and heartless man I once lived with vanished. Charlie let out a ragged sound that sounded like a sob and laughter at the same time before lunging at her. He caught her in his arms, spinning her around as if she could disappear if he spun her too hard. Then, he buried his face in her neck, his broad shoulders shaking with an excitement I had never been allowed to witness.

Before I could utter a word, my parents rushed over to her side taking turns in hugging her, the anger that was in their eyes a few moments ago looked like it had vanished into thin air.

I couldn’t utter a word as my gaze was fixed on those legs that made literally everyone hate me. They were back to normal like nothing had ever happened. Knowing the type of person Serena was, I knew she was bound to come out one day, but like this?

"You’re walking," he choked out, pulling back to cup her face with trembling hands. "Serena, your legs... how? I don't understand."

Serena let a single, perfect tear roll down her cheek. She reached up and her fingers grazed his jaw with an affection I knew was fake. "It was a miracle, Charlie. I was so ashamed of being a burden, so broken by what happened, that I had to leave and cut off all points of contact. I went abroad for a highly experimental, specialized treatment. It was grueling, and there were times I thought I wouldn't survive the pain, but the thought of coming back to you... it kept me fighting."

She looked over Charlie’s shoulder and our gaze locked. I watched as the innocent look in her face grew cold and was immediately filled with a mischievous look she always gave me when no one was watching.

"Evelyn," she breathed, faking a gasp of surprise.

Rushing over to my side and hugging me, Serena's smile widened almost imperceptibly.

"I am back now sister, to take everything you've stolen from me, get ready to lose everything." She whispered.

I stared at her in disbelief, what the hell was she going to do this time?