Chapter 79
079
…Present Day…
THE room was thick with silence, only pierced by Claire’s sobbing. Her shoulders trembled as though she carried the weight of an avalanche, her palms pressed against her wet face. Amelia stood frozen, her chest heaving, eyes red not from tears but from the storm of betrayal tearing through her insides. Mrs. Harlow sat on the edge of the couch, wringing her hands, her face pale and stricken with regret, as though every line on her skin suddenly carried the weight of all her past mistakes.
“Big sis…” Claire’s voice cracked, broken, barely audible over her own weeping. She lifted her face, streaked with shame. “I’m sorry. I never wanted things to escalate like this. I swear I never expected the pregnancy part. I didn’t plan that with Vivian. I…” she choked, her chest tightening. “I only wanted you to hurt, not… not like this p>
Amelia’s head snapped toward her, disbelief flashing in her eyes.
“Oh!” she spat, her voice trembling with rage. “So that was why you broke into her house to threaten her? That was why p>
Claire flinched as though struck, her lips trembling.
“I p>
But Amelia didn’t let her finish. She stepped forward, the tears brimming in her eyes now spilling freely.
“You did this, Claire? You did this? You!” Her voice broke, her hands flying to her chest as if to steady her racing heart.
“My God!” she sobbed. “Yes, Mom always compared us. Yes, she said things she shouldn’t have, cruel things. But I never, never for once, held it against you! Do you hear me?” She pounded her chest with her fist, her voice loud and raw. “I never supported Mom in her madness, never encouraged her when she called you names, when she made you feel less. I still loved you! I still saw you as my sister p>
Claire’s sobs grew louder, her face buried in her hands.
Amelia’s voice shook, the fury giving way to anguish.
“To me, you weren’t late, you weren’t some mischief or misfortune child, you weren’t cursed. You didn’t kill Dad! Dad died in an accident, Claire! An accident!” She screamed the word, her tears falling freely. “It had nothing to do with you, nothing p>
Mrs. Harlow let out a strangled sob, covering her mouth, her body rocking.
“Oh, God p>
“I saw you as my only sister,” Amelia went on, her voice breaking as she cried. “My only sibling. I took you as one, loved you as one, had your back, supported you through everything. And this… this is how you choose to pay me? Claire? Huh p>
Claire dropped to the floor, crumbling, her palms slapping against the marble tiles as though she had no strength
left in her.
“I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I was blinded. I just wanted to beat you in one thing… just one p>
Amelia staggered back a step, shaking her head violently.
“I never expected you to break my home. I never expected you to stab me like this! Never!” Her chest rose and fell
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sharply, her sobs loud and jagged. “Jeez! This is… this is unbelievable p>
Her knees gave out and she collapsed into the nearest chair, burying her face in her palms as she cried uncontrollably.
The sound of her anguish cut through Mrs. Harlow like knives. She shuffled forward, her voice trembling, weak.
“Daughter… Amelia… please, forgive me. I… I pushed her into resentment. I sowed these seeds… I poisoned her heart against you. Please… please, I’m sorry. Forgive me p>
Amelia’s face lifted, wet with tears, her eyes bloodshot as she glared at her mother.
“You-” she hissed, pointing a shaking finger at her. “You see what you have caused? You have caused me nothing but pain. Pain! My marriage, my home, my peace, all broken because of your bitterness, because you couldn’t love your children the same p>
Mrs. Harlow broke down, covering her face as she sobbed.
“I didn’t mean for this, Amelia. I swear I didn’t p>
“Enough!” Amelia shouted, her voice echoing in the room. “You did mean for it! You raised us in comparison, in hatred, in division. And now, now I am paying for it. Me!” She slammed her fist against her chest again. “Me, the one who kept trying to hold this family together p>
Claire crawled forward on her knees, clutching at Amelia’s dress desperately.
“Sis, please, I’m sorry,” she wept. “I regret it, I regret everything. I didn’t think it would go this far. I was stupid, jealous, blind. Please, forgive me p>
Amelia pulled back, staring down at her with wide, tear-streaked eyes. Her voice was raw, hollow.
“Forgive you?” she whispered. “Claire, you broke me. You shattered me. You planted poison in my home and watered it until it grew into destruction. You have destroyed everything I built. How do I forgive that p>
Claire collapsed fully, her forehead pressed to Amelia’s knees, her cries loud and desperate. Mrs. Harlow joined her, both women at Amelia’s feet, pleading, begging, drowning in regret.
But Amelia only shook her head, rocking back and forth as her tears fell like rain. Reality crashed down on all three women: betrayal, regret, and pain interwoven into a knot too tangled to undo.
The room was thick with cries, the cries of a sister who had been wronged, a mother who had failed, and a daughter who could never look at her family the same way again.
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.