The Unbridgeable Distance Between Us

The butler knocked, uneasy. "Miss Edith Grayson is rummaging through the storage room for her old toys. We can't stop her. The dust might trigger her asthma."

I snapped my suitcase shut, exhaling. "I'll handle it."

But as I stepped into the storage room, the door slammed shut. Edith's smug voice came through. "Mom, you broke the rules today. Apologize, or you're stuck there all night."

...

When I didn't respond, her tone sharpened. "Your phone is out here. No one is coming to save you."

I flicked on the light. "Whatever."

"Dad's bringing Helene home for her celebration party tonight," she added. "Stay there and don't make a noise."

She kicked the door and left.

As her footsteps faded, I leaned against the door and hung my head.

The storage room's contents hit me like a blow. Most were gifts I'd chosen for Victor and Edith, now covered in dust. Some remained wrapped.

Brushing off the grime, I opened them. Each gift carried a memory of happier times, now laced with pain. Dust stung my lungs, and tears mixed with my coughs.

After unwrapping the last one, I lit a match and set the pile ablaze. Smoke filled the room, triggering the alarm.

The butler and staff rushed in, pulling me out and putting out the flames.

Victor stormed over and slapped me hard. "Have you lost your mind? You're jealous of Helene, so you start a fire to wreck her celebration?"

Edith, in a frilly princess dress, glared. "Mom, you deserve this for breaking the rules."

She ordered the staff to toss my suitcase into the fire, expecting me to break down.

I barely glanced at it, heading straight for the banquet hall. Victor grabbed my arm, hissing, "What do you want?"

I shook him off and strode forward, ignoring their protests.

In the hall, Helene mingled with guests, radiating confidence in my dress. My breath caught when I saw the necklace around her neck. It was my 18th birthday gift from my parents, locked in a safe that only Victor and I knew could access.

It was clear who had given it to her.

I marched over and yanked it off, nearly knocking her down. Victor rushed to her side, his voice tight with anger. "Susan, enough! Helene secured this overseas deal. If you're going to lose it, get out!"

His disgust and Edith's glare didn't faze me. Holding up the necklace, I asked, "Was this your idea, too?"