Greedy God-Sister

As soon as I walked out of the bank, my phone lit up with a flood of messages from Keith.

[Silvia, aren't you coming home? I know you're mad, but Mom's old. Don't take it out on her.]

[Caroline's making Mom's favorite meatloaf. I have to help her, so I can't pick you up. Just take a cab home.]

When I did not respond, a note of impatience crept into his messages.

[Silvia! Are you done throwing a fit yet? Why do I have to beg you over and over just to get you to come home?]

I turned my phone off.

I saw him as I arrived at the office building on Monday morning.

Keith was leaning against his car. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, and he looked worn out, like he had not slept.

The moment he saw me, he crushed his cigarette and walked over quickly.

"Silvia, why haven't you come home these past few days?"

I answered calmly, "Didn't you tell me not to come back? I did exactly what you wanted, yet you're unhappy?"

Keith was speechless.

It took him a while to find his voice again.

"Silvia, I went too far that day. I get that you were upset, but you can't just stay away from home like this.

"I already talked to Mom. You can come back three days a week from now on."

I actually laughed.

"It’s my home to begin with. Since when do I need your permission to decide how many days I can live there?"

His expression darkened.

"Silvia, can you stop being so aggressive? I already compromised. What more do you want?"

I let out a soft, mocking laugh. "And the other four days? Who are you giving those to? Your dear little sister Caroline?"

"What does this have to do with Caroline?

"Why do you keep targeting her? She just cares about Mom. She's trying to keep this family peaceful. Can't you think about me for once? Why do you have to make trouble at a time like this? Are you really that selfish and unwilling to do anything for this family?"

His brows knitted together, disappointment filling his eyes.

It was almost funny. I was the one who should have felt wronged, yet somehow, he got there first.

When I did not respond, he seemed to realize he had gone too far. His tone softened.

"Silvia, Mom is…"

"Is she dead?" I asked calmly.

His face flushed red with anger. "Silvia! How could you say that?"

"Good. If she's not dead, there's nothing to talk about. You know better than I do what's really going on with her ‘condition’."

His eyes flickered, avoiding mine, like he was trying to hide his guilt. "That day… You heard?"

"How much do you want me to have heard?" I asked back.

He fell silent.

After a long moment, he let out a sigh.

"Silvia, Mom's just like that. You know her personality. Caroline's dad was my dad's old comrade. I really do treat her like a sister. I'm just trying to keep Mom happy."

I smiled. "So, you’re saying that everything you've done was for my own good and for the good of this family."

He nodded quickly. "Yes. I swear you're the only one in my heart."

"What about the perfume?"

His expression froze again.

"T-that was something Caroline bought herself. She was just showing it off in front of me."

The lie came out so easily and smoothly, that it made my heart freeze over.

Suddenly, I felt nothing but exhaustion, and with it came the quiet realization that there was no point arguing anymore. It was not worth it anymore.

"You're right," I said quietly. "I am selfish. Selfish enough to want a home I can go back to whenever I want.

I looked at him. "So, Keith, let's get a divorce."