“How dare you hit Erica? Who do you think you are, harming my precious daughter?” my mother shouted, her eyes blazing with rage and disgust.
“What kind of behavior is this? This is not acceptable in this house!” my father exclaimed, pulling Erica into his arms. His gaze was filled with disbelief and disappointment as he held her tightly.
I hung my head, stunned into silence. I couldn’t find the words to defend myself. Before I could say anything, Everett grabbed me by the arm and dragged me down the hall, throwing me to the floor. The pain in my heart was worse than the physical ache in my body.
I wanted to explain it, to defend myself, but it felt like something was lodged in my throat, keeping me from speaking. Meanwhile, my mother turned to Erica, gently holding her hand and caressing her cheek. As she comforted her adopted daughter, her anger and hatred for me flowed freely.
“I regret ever bringing you back,” she said, her voice full of bitter rage. “I should have known that someone raised in a bad place would grow up to be the same. Look at you—attacking your own sister!”
“And I’m sure you're lying about having cancer just to get Erica out of this house. Isn't' that right? If she hadn’t warned us to double-check your medical report, we would’ve all fallen for your lies!”
My dad and Everett stood on either side of Erica, both concerned. My father was rubbing ointment on her hand, while Everett reassured and comforted her.
They continued their little performance, oblivious to my existence, parading around as the perfect family of four. And there I stood, like a prisoner awaiting the gallows, my voice stuck in my throat, unable to defend myself.
“What are you staring at? Do you want to harm Erica again?” Everett finally spared a moment to come to his precious sister's rescue, his tone dripping with righteous indignation. “She begged us to wait for you so we could celebrate New Year’s Eve together. But instead of coming home, you were out messing around with God-knows-who. And the moment you return, you pick a fight with Erica! How could I have a sister with such a venomous heart?”