5 - Elena

“I'm not sure I'll take Sarah's advice to invite the Krashingdowns to the wedding ceremony,” Mom said. “Their daughter, Eloise, has been Sarah's nemesis right from when they were little. It gets even worse because Eloise works in the same hospital with Sarah, and I'm sure she tries her best to outshine your sister. Not that she's ever successful. Sarah is that surgeon everyone trusts and wants to handle their cases. She's a star.”

I gasped, looking up from the book I was reading. “Eloise now works at Elysium Healthcare?” I asked, surprised. How could that be? Eloise and I were pretty close. She was a sweet soul, and one of my best friends, and there was never a time I remember her disliking or even talking about Sarah. Yes, they weren't the best of friends, but Eloise kept to her lane. I wouldn't be surprised if Sarah had been feeding Mother lies about Eloise because she felt insecure. Eloise was also a hot-shot surgeon who knew her work quite well, and if she'd moved to Elysium Healthcare where Sarah worked for real, there was a chance that she was stealing the hearts of everyone there. Something Sarah most definitely couldn't stand.

“Sarah told me they almost had a fight last week because Eloise upstaged her operation. The Krashingdowns really failed in bringing up their children if they're aware and support Eloise's conduct. It's disgraceful. Does she hate Sarah that much that she doesn't want to ever see her successful? There are plenty of hospitals she could have chosen to work with, but no.”

Ah, I brought my book up to hide my smirk. I was right, then. Sarah felt threatened by Eloise, and instead of upping her game, she cried ugly to Mother. It was so disgusting.

“Anyways, your sister has a heart of gold. She's told me to make sure an invite gets across to that local family. Despite all Eloise has done to her. What a beautiful soul.”

I didn't reply, just sat back quietly as she pushed the invite meant for the Krashingdowns aside from the rest, then leaned back with an exhale. “I want everything to be picture-perfect, that day,” she muttered, almost worriedly. “Sarah has waited for ages for this day. It brings me to tears whenever I remember how she's longed to get married. And now that dream is close to being achieved.”

I tried my best to keep from rolling my eyes. “Did I hear you say longing, Mother? Sarah has cancelled the wedding four times before this. I don't think she's truly longing for any of this.” If anything, I'd say she didn't even want this, but had no idea how to wave it off without hurting Richard's feelings.

Mother sprang up sharply, rage flashing in her eyes. “Of course you'll be the last person to understand that your sister's job is very demanding. You would never understand what it means to be a surgeon. All you need to do is sit around and scribble sentimental nonsense all day. It's not the same for our lovely Sarah. She's away from home all weekend, barely having enough time for herself, working on patients even when she's tired. Do you think she enjoys cancelling the wedding over and over again? She did that because she has no choice. Her work is that hectic. Like I said, you would never understand, but the least you can do is keep your opinion to yourself. No one needs such negativity, especially not from you.”

Wow.

I opened my mouth to say something, to talk back at her, then closed it, thinking better of it. She knows how tiring writing can be, and how seriously I take it. She's aware of my mental health being shaky ever since I wrote my last book and my writer's block started. I know better than to compare myself to Sarah, but I wished she wouldn't dismiss my work as writing sentimental nonsense.

The same sentimental nonsense made enough money to keep everyone afloat when the companies were almost going bankrupt and Sarah hadn't gotten a job.

How could she forget all that?

I supposed it never mattered what I did. She was still bitter that I hadn't followed in her paths in the medical line like Sarah did. Mother was a well-to-do gynaecologist while she was younger, and she despises that I never had an interest in anything that had to do with medicine. No matter how many best sellers I put out, how many awards I receive, it would never be good enough.

Tears stung my eyes but I bite my lip, trying to force them back. Why did I keep hurting myself like this? Why did I keep coming back home where I wasn't welcomed, to help with a wedding I wanted no part of, to spend time with a mother that would always consider me second-best to her golden child? I didn't even want her to treat me with the same amount of affection she treated Sarah. All I ever wanted was an ounce of it. Was that too much to ask for?

“I'm sorry,” she said suddenly after a few minutes had passed, her voice weary. “I don't know what came over me. The wedding has me drowning in so many responsibilities, and I took out my frustration on you. I'm sorry, Elena. You understand how much this means to us all, don't you? This merger has been years in the making, and once this wedding is behind us, we can finalize the remaining paperwork and leave the merged company in Sarah and Richard's hands. The Delmontes has refused to proceed any further until the wedding is completed, and your father and I are entirely dependent on their funding now, love. Sarah wouldn't have to work long hours at the hospital once she's married.”

I nodded, my eyes down. “I understand everything, Mother.”

She smiled at me then. “You've always been a nice person, Elena. I have no doubt that you'll end up with a great man as well. Sarah and I are both lucky to have you. Thank you for showing up every time you're needed. Thank you for being so patient with Sarah's frequent indecisions regarding the wedding.”

I beamed back at her, happy to hear her finally acknowledging the endless hours and work I'd put into this. My hard work surprisingly hadn't gone unnoticed. Sarah had barely been involved with the preparations, and though it constantly hurt to be reminded of her upcoming wedding, I was thankful that work kept her at the office. I got to spend some quality time, bonding with Mother. It was incredibly rare for us to spend quality time together, given our strained history.