My father went pale with panic, staring at me as if he couldn't believe his ears.
“How do you know about that?”
I said nothing, only pressing closer, every step burning with rage.
“Ever since I was a child I couldn't understand your favoritism. I'm the one who's actually your blood, yet you always doted on the adopted daughter who shares none of it. Later I found out why.”
“It turned out Julie is the daughter of your first love, so your love for her mother spilled onto her.”
“Even knowing it would hurt your own daughter, you didn't care.”
The secret he'd buried deep was dragged into the open, and for a moment my father was choked into silence.
“Sonia, I hope you can understand the good intentions behind everything I've done.”
“You and Julie are both my good children. You're both my own flesh and blood, and I would never favor one over the other.”
“Get out!”
Because I truly didn't want to listen to any more nonsense. It would only waste my time.
Julie was the only child he cradled in his palm. Where was there ever any place for me?
But my father made no move to leave, wearing the look of a man with something hard to say.
“Out with it!”
He only ever came to me when he wanted something; otherwise he'd never show up at my door. I figured it was about Julie again.
“Sonia, Dad needs a favor.”
“Julie's business failed. She wants to start over, but she has no capital.”
“Dad can see you're doing well for yourself. And besides, she's your sister! Could you put up a million dollars……”
“The door's right there. Don't let me keep you!!”
I'd shown him out. I had no interest in discussing this with him any further.
I didn't expect it, but just then Bartholomew came back in, supporting Julie on his arm.
They must have overheard our conversation.
“Sonia, how could you talk to Dad like that? He's only worried about Julie!”
The words had barely left his mouth when my father crossed over to stand beside them.
The three of them together looked exactly like a family.
From beginning to end, I was the outsider.
“If he's so worried about Julie, he can go borrow the money from a bank.”
“Sonia, that's your sister……”
“Sister? Ha. How ironic.”
“If she really thought of me as her sister, how could she have slept with your fiancé?”
“Even my own father always takes her side.”
“So tell me, how much bigger a person am I supposed to be?”
In an instant, not one of them dared say a word.
This house suffocated me. Just as I was about to leave, my father ground out through clenched teeth,
“Wasn't that whole business last time just a misunderstanding?”
“They're both innocent. Why won't you just let it go? Why do you have to twist the knife in everyone's heart?”
I turned back and looked coldly at the three of them, and the retort caught in my throat lost all its appeal.
One mouth was no match for three.
In the end it was Julie who rushed in to play the peacemaker and smooth things over.
“Sis, I'm sorry!”
“That night I was so drunk I didn't know what I was doing. That's how I committed such an unforgivable sin.”
“I'm apologizing to you. I'm begging you to forgive me, please?”
“This is your home. If anyone should leave, it's us!”
My father and Bartholomew watched Julie's earnest, pleading apology, their hearts aching for her.
Seeing that I still hadn't spoken up to accept Julie's apology, Anita's face darkened at once.
“Julie apologized to you herself. What more do you want?”
“I don't want anything. I just want them to leave and get out of my sight.”
Hearing that, Julie lowered her head, her face crumpling with hurt.
My father stepped in to defend her and shot me a glare.
Just as he was about to speak, Julie went rushing out, the picture of grief.
She ran too fast, and the next thing anyone knew, she'd tumbled down the stairs.
“Julie!”
“Julie!”
