Glass-Torn Heart

The voice on the other end of the line was loud. Even I, a ghost, could hear it.

“Is this Carol Lane’s family? She has already...”

Mom froze for a moment:

“Carol... What happened to her?”

Before the other end could respond, Delila snatched the phone.

Moments later, she hung up. Her eyes darted nervously as she stammered, “Carol... is fine.

“She’s just emotionally unstable and demanding that everyone visit her. She yelled at me, too.”

She wiped away her tears. Her voice was filled with hurt.

“Mom, Carol must be angry that you took me to the hospital first. Don’t worry about me. Hurry and go see her...”

The anger flared back on Mom’s face.

“This accident wasn’t serious at all. It was just a tree! She’s probably exaggerating her condition just to get us to visit.”

Dad visibly relaxed.

“I knew it. She wouldn’t get hurt that easily.”

Delila sniffed. Her eyes reddened.

“Kelvin, Mom, and Dad, don’t be angry...

“Carol must be mad at me. That’s why she’s making up excuses.

“Why don’t you go see her anyway?”

Her words both confirmed her accusations and made her appear kind-hearted.

I hovered beside them and studied Delila’s scheming gaze. A chill spread from the depths of my soul.

Mom immediately patted her hand.

“Silly girl, you’re just too soft. She’s manipulating you on purpose!

“If we give in to her today, who knows what trouble she’ll stir up later?!”

Dad whispered to Mom, “Ignore her. Once she’s had her fill of drama, she’ll slink back on her own.”

Their exchange flowed with a practiced ease. It flowed so naturally, like it was rehearsed.

Only Kelvin seemed vaguely anxious. He wanted to check on me.

Delila pouted. Tears welled up instantly.

“Kelvin, please go. Though I’ll miss your company terribly, I won’t be upset...”

Her tears successfully halted Kelvin’s footsteps. Mom and Dad instantly pulled him back, too.

Just then, a nurse entered with a test report.

“Miss Delila Lane’s results are in. Everything’s perfectly fine. She can be discharged tomorrow.”

Delila immediately lit up with delight. She tugged at Mom’s hand and cooed, “That’s wonderful, Mom! I’ve been craving your homemade steak.”

“Alright, alright, I’ll rush home and make it for you.”

Watching them bustle around Delila, I felt a sharp ache in my chest.

I recalled the events that had led to the car accident. Delila had asked to join me on the mountain to see the snow.

I instinctively refused, but Mom and Dad thought I was deliberately picking on my sister. They insisted I take her with me and drive ahead.

After enduring the long drive back, Delila suddenly grabbed the steering wheel from me. The car suddenly hit an icy patch.

Before I could react, the car flipped violently and slammed into a tree.

In that instant, I had instinctively shielded her with my body.

She was protected by the airbag and only suffered minor scrapes.

On the other hand, not only did my brakes fail, but my seatbelt also snapped. Even my airbag malfunctioned.

Shards of broken glass pierced straight into my heart. My vision slowly went dark.

Yet at that moment, she whispered something I could not believe into my ear.

“Carol, you’ve always fought me for everything since we were kids. I’ve had enough of you!

“Our family has only ever had one extra person, you. If you die, Mom, Dad, and Kelvin will love only me from now on!

“I tampered with every safety feature in your seat. Even if you don’t die, you’ll be crippled for life.”

She looked at the shards embedded in my chest and laughed with a touch of madness.

“Don’t even think about Mom, Dad, or Kelvin saving you. With just one word from me, they won’t give you a second glance, even if you die.”

She knew Mom and Dad favored her, while Kelvin doted on her. A few crocodile tears would have everyone scrambling to her side.

It had been a meticulously planned conspiracy from the very beginning.

She had even calculated that I would die on that snowy day.

Outside, the snow fell heavier and heavier, as if intent on burying the entire world.

I could do nothing but stand by as they repeatedly humiliated me with more venomous words.