âIâve always loved you, Mara. Youâre my one and only little sister. How could I ever treat you like that?
Mara, maybe youâre just going through a rebellious phase, and you think hanging out with the bad crowd is cool, but theyâre only gonna wreck you!â
Elton was fuming as he looked at her lifeless expression. He rushed forward, itching to slap some sense into her.
If Victoria hadnât held him back, Maraâs other cheek would probably be swelling up too.
He pointed at Mara, his voice rising with every word, âItâs all my fault for spoiling you, turning you into this mess!
No grades to speak of, and now you have the gall to blame me and your sister. Do you have any idea how much sheâs sacrificed for you? Sheâs burning the midnight oil every night, hunting down study materials for you and planning your schedule. And what do you do?
You throw it all away for those delinquents who are nothing but trouble. Youâre breaking my heart, girl.â
âYeah, I know, everything I do is wrong in your eyes. So fine, Iâll just keep being wrong since you donât want me as your daughter anyway.â
then, Why w Maraâs voice roared out, tears streaming down her cheeks like rain. Yet, she stubbornly covered her mouth, refusing to let herself sob aloud.
Victoriaâs heart ached seeing her sister like this.
âDad, stop yelling, please. Maraâs just got her back up; you know sheâs got a temper jus like you. We need to sit down and talk this through. Mara, you have to stop hanging ou with those people. If this goes on, you might really end up in a bad place.â
Victoriaâs brow was furrowed. She couldnât pinpoint when Mara had started to resent her so much. She wanted to help, but in Maraâs eyes, it seemed like she was just sucking up to their dad.
Even her attempts to defend Mara were met with suspicion. Where did it all go wrong?
They were a family. How could they be so estranged?
âI donât need you meddling in my life. Just be happy with your perfect eldest daughter.
If thad known it would be like this, I wish I had disappeared with Mom! Then I wouldnât have to put up with your daily lectures.â
Her words hit Elton right in his most vulnerable spot. He clutched his chest and staggered back, overcome with grief.
âOh, you really are something, arenât you? You, you⦠itâs my fault for not raising you right.
08:18 Now youâre not just disobedient, but youâre blaming me? Yes, Iâd be much happier without a daughter like you.â
Mara let out a bitter laugh, âFinally, you said it. always knew you preferred her over me.
Sometimes I wonder if you care more about your reputation or us. To you, your pride is what matters the most. My bad grades embarrass you, my looks embarrass you. Is your pride really that important?
Fine, from now on, I wonât embarrass you anymore. Just pretend you never had me as a daughter.â
With those final words, she grabbed her backpack, slammed the door and left.
Victoria took a couple of steps to follow, but then Elton collapsed onto the couch, scaring her out of her wits. She had no choice but to turn back and take care of her father.
âDonât chase after her. Let her learn the hard way. Itâs my own fault for spoiling her to become this selfish and headstrong.â
Eltonâs face was twisted in pain, and Victoria was troubled, âDad, why did you have to say something so harsh?â