Chapter 11

Ever wiped the tears that streamed down her cheeks after her father sent her back to her room. 

His father’s words echoed in her head. “Get the fuck out of here!” He had huffed and puffed. 

She had not expected to be scolded and dismissed so harshly, especially in front of Emma, who sat watching the scene unfold. 

Emma did not even bother to hide her amusement. This twist of fate was too perfect for her to handle. After all the sessions, she had endured Ever’s condescending behavior. 

Seeing her sister sent to her room in such a disgraceful way felt almost poetic. A chuckle escaped her lips, though she quickly composed herself when her father turned to face her.

“Emma,” her father began, his tone softened as he regarded her. “Would you like to stay the night? Your mother will be pleased to see you tomorrow.”

Emma hesitated for a second, glancing at Damien, who was sitting silently beside her. His expression was unreadable, but when their eyes met, Damien gave her a subtle nod of approval.

“Yes,” Emma nodded, a small smile gracing her lips. “I would like that,” she added.

Her father’s face lit up with genuine warmth. “Good, I’ll have the guest room prepared for your visitor. It is the least we can do for your friend,” he added with a broad smile.

Emma appreciated the gesture, though she could not help but notice the tension in her father’s voice. She nodded politely as her father called for the maid to handle the arrangement. 

The warmth of the invitation felt surreal, almost foreign. She was not sure if she could trust this, or maybe this was just a prank. Thinking about her memories, this was far from the father she had known. But maybe the Moon Goddess was already helping her.

They returned to eating. The clicking of cutlery filled the room as they ate quietly. 

Damien kept a watchful eye on Emma and her father, catching the fleeting glances she exchanged with him. 

When the meal was over, Emma’s father excused himself, saying he had some work to attend to. Emma nodded, giving her father the grace to leave them alone.

“Your family seems so kind,” Damien acknowledged immediately after Emma’s father left them alone.

“That’s a good compliment,” Emma nodded, standing up. “I will show you to your room now if you don’t mind.”

She gestured toward a corner and motioned for him to follow her. 

The house, though, felt so familiar, like a labyrinth of memories Emma had tried to bury. Every corner and every piece of furniture seemed to whisper echoes of her past. She led Damien to the guest room, opening the door for him.

“This is for you,” she said simply.

“Thank you,” Damien replied, stepping inside and placing his hand on the wall. His eyes lingered on Emma for a moment. His concern was evident. “Are you okay?” he asked.

Emma gave a faint smile. “I’m fine, just trying to adjust,” she answered.

Damien nodded. “I understand. No problem. But if you need anything, just let me know.”

Emma smiled at him. “Did you forget this is my house? I should be the one to tell you that, if you need anything, you should let me know, not the other way around,” she answered, and they both smiled.

With a final glance, Emma left him to settle in and made her way to her room. 

It had been a decade since she had slept in this house, but her room was untouched, as though time had frozen in her absence. 

She ran a finger over the desk that was set on the edge of her room. With a deep breath, she walked to her bed and fell on it, pulling the cover over herself. She tried to sleep, but sleep did not come easily. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotion, confusion, uneasiness, and a nagging feeling that something was not right. She could not believe that everything happening right now was happening. 

**

It was close to midnight when Emma suddenly heard a faint knock on her door. Her eyes snapped open. The door to her room was inched open, and a familiar figure stepped inside. It was none other than… Ever.

“Ever,” Emma pronounced, surprised. Her voice was slow but steady as she sat up in bed. “What are you doing here?” she asked.

Ever’s face was tear-streaked. Her eyes were swollen from crying. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it. “What did you do to them?” Ever accused, her voice trembling with a mixture of anger and desperation. “How did you make them like you so much?”

Emma could not help but laugh out loud in a way that bubbled out of her. It was sharp and mocking, a sound that made Ever flinch in pain.

“Are you serious right now?” She asked, a tone dripping with disbelief. “You’re accusing me of turning our parents against you. You must be delusional.” She smiled.

Ever’s fist clenched at her side. “They have never treated you like this before. Never. Especially my father. It’s like you’ve done something to make him hate me. What did you do? Tell me. What did you say to them? What did you tell them?”

Emma shook her head, leaning back against the headboard with a smirk displaying on her lips. “Oh, Ever, you’re grasping at straws here. Did you forget all the things you put me through when I was living here? The humiliation, the torment, the way you treated me like I was less than nothing?”

Ever’s face twisted with guilt for a brief moment, but she quickly masked it with defiance. “That was the past. I was young and stupid. I didn’t know anything then, so you just have to let the past be the past and tell me what you did to our father.”

“Spare me the excuses, please,” Emma cut her off. Her voice was cold. “You’re only here because you’re scared. Scared that they will finally see you for who you are. You can’t stand the thought of not being their favorite anymore, can you?” she asked.

Eva’s voice cracked as she pleaded. “I’m sorry, okay? I’ll do anything to make it right. Just don’t ruin this for me. Let me take back my place. I’m not in the family anymore. I promise to be better.”

Emma narrowed her eyes in annoyance. “Take back your place? You think it’s that simple?” She leaned forward, her voice piercing. “You’re the one who destroyed your place in this family. Don’t you dare blame me for your mistakes, okay?” she analyzed her words.

“I’ll make it up to you. I’ll make them love you more than they love me. I promise.”

Emma’s voice was barely above a whisper as she pleaded. Emma laughed again, the sound devoid of any warmth. “Love me more than they love you. That’s rich. Do you think I care about their approval after everything I’ve been through?”

Eva hesitated, her desperation growing. “Please, Emma, I’ll do anything. Just don’t let them push me out. I’ll even be your slave.”

“Eva,” Emma interrupted before she could even complete her words. Her voice was ice-cold and commanding. Eva froze, staring at her sister in disbelief.

The corrections have been made, and the text now reads more smoothly. Let me know if you need anything else!