Substitute No More: The Sister They Lost

I returned to the place that was once called "home" to pack up my belongings. The mansion was huge, but only the cold, damp little room at the end of the hallway belonged to me. Ever since Sarah came back, I no longer had the privilege of staying in one of the larger bedrooms.

I pulled out a well-worn fairy tale book from under my bed, with a yellowed photograph tucked inside. This was taken during my first birthday at the Sinclair family, the only thing I hadn't been ordered to "give back" to Sarah.

I had suffered from long-term abuse. Even after Joseph rescued me and brought me home, I was quiet for a very long time. I only recovered because Thomas had tried different ways to make me laugh every day, and Joseph had watched over me constantly.

In the photograph, Joseph and Thomas stood on either side of me. I was wearing a beautiful white dress and smiling so happily. On the back, the words "our most beloved little princess" were written in small letters.

Back then, I thought I finally had a family. Then, Sarah came back, and the way they looked at me became increasingly torn. My once spacious and bright bedroom, my pretty dresses, as well as my expensive school supplies, all disappeared with Sarah's return.

Even my hard-earned admission to Yates University was snatched away when Sarah said she wanted company, and they forced me to withdraw and transfer to a different university. They said this was what I owed her because I had stolen her life for so many years.

My phone suddenly vibrated, interrupting my memories. It was a call from the cemetery.

"Ms. Sinclair, your reservation has been processed, but you need to pay a 30% deposit, or we can't hold the plot."

"Alright, I'll pay immediately," I quickly agreed.

But when I opened my phone to transfer the money, the numbers on the screen made me freeze instantly. My account balance was 32 dollars and 50 cents. Where was all the money I had saved for so long?

My whole body trembled. All I could think about was how I couldn't even afford a burial plot now and would probably become a wandering spirit after death.

The door was suddenly pushed open. Joseph stood in the doorway, his expression dark with anger.

He waved his phone, the screen clearly showing a text notification of a failed bank transaction. "Cynthia, what are you up to now?"

"I..." I opened my mouth, wanting to explain.

But he had no intention of listening to me at all.

"Sarah has been crying ever since your 99 phone calls interrupted her birthday party," he said with a cold laugh. "But she didn't blame you. Instead, she helped explain your behavior to everyone!"

He raised his hand and threw his phone at my feet, his eyes blazing with fury. "And you, to make your act complete, actually want to reserve a burial plot? If I hadn't had my assistant freeze your cards, how much more of a fool would you have made of yourself?"

"Joe." My voice trembled. "I was just—"

"You're just a fake!" He suddenly raised his voice, interrupting me. "I didn't throw you out, and instead of being grateful, you dare to make my real sister sad?"

He stubbornly believed that everything I did was out of jealousy toward Sarah. My whole body shook as tears fell onto the back of my hand. "Joe..."

"Shut up!" He suddenly exploded with rage, grabbing me by the collar. "You have no right to call me by that nickname! You stole Sarah's life. She suffered so much because of you! And you still don't know you're wrong!"

I didn't even know what I had done wrong, but everyone said I was a sinner.

"I didn't..."

"You didn't?" He let out a cold laugh, his eyes filled with utter disgust. "Weren't it your beast of parents who kidnapped Sarah all those years ago?"

My whole body trembled. My parents? My memories of my parents contained only belts, cigarette burns, and dark closets.

"I have nothing to do with them—" My voice shook.

"Stop playing the victim," Joseph interrupted me impatiently. "They only pretended to abuse you so that they could send you, this imposter, into our family! Too bad they've disappeared without a trace now, so..."

He leaned down and enunciated every word, "Whatever you owe Sarah, you'll have to pay back on their behalf."

I stared at him in horror, my throat feeling blocked. I was unable to say a single word. Just then, the door was pushed open again, and Thomas walked in with Sarah.

"Cynthia, Sarah's been unhappy the whole day." Thomas frowned. "She says she didn't get your birthday wishes. She didn't even eat her cake."

Sarah's eyes were slightly red as she timidly handed me a slice of cake. "Cynthia, I specially brought back a slice for you. I wanted to share my happiness with you."

I looked down and saw that the cake had a mango filling, and the top had been sprinkled with crushed peanuts. Both were things I was severely allergic to. If I ate this cake, I would break out in rashes all over my body, and my throat might even swell shut.

"I can't eat this." I stepped back.

Sarah's eyes immediately reddened. She bit her lip and looked at Joseph with grievance. "Joe, did I do something wrong again?"

Joseph frowned. "Cynthia, Sarah specially brought this for you. Don't be ungrateful."

Thomas simply took a piece of the cake and held it to my mouth. "One bite won't kill you."

He stared at me, his eyes cold. "Consider it an apology to Sarah."

I looked at that piece of cake and suddenly laughed. They clearly knew I was allergic. They just didn't care.

Sarah was still sobbing. Joseph tenderly held her, whispering words of comfort, while Thomas impatiently urged, "Hurry up. Don't make Sarah sad."

I reached out and took it. Under the watchful eyes of all three, I ate that spoonful of cake. After all, I was going to die soon anyway. What did an allergic reaction matter?

I swallowed it, looked up, and smiled. As I smiled, tears began to flow. "Thank you for the treat."