Chapter 8 - THE SISTER WHO NEVER EXPECTED ME TO SPEAK
Olivia called me on a Thursday afternoon.
I was sitting in Grace's kitchen reviewing documents with Rebecca.
When her name appeared on the screen, I almost declined.
Then I answered.
“Hello, Olivia.”
Her voice was sharp.
“Are you happy?”
I stared at the phone.
“About what?”
“Damian isn't speaking to me.”
I looked at Rebecca.
She raised an eyebrow.
Olivia continued.
“He says I lied about the benefit.”
“You did.”
Silence.
Then she laughed.
“Oh, please. You knew I was having a hard time.”
“Yes.”
“And you said you'd help me.”
“I did help you.”
Olivia's voice hardened.
“Then why are you making such a big deal now?”
I took a breath.
“Because you kept humiliating me for something you knew I hadn't done.”
She said nothing.
I continued.
“You asked me to protect you. I did. Then you turned that kindness into a story you could use against me.”
Olivia scoffed.
“You're so dramatic.”
I felt something settle inside me.
Not anger.
Clarity.
“Olivia, I won't have this conversation if you insult me.”
She laughed.
“You can't just—”
I ended the call.
Rebecca looked at me.
“Good.”
I stared at the phone.
My hands were shaking.
Grace smiled.
“How do you feel?”
I considered.
“Terrified.”
Then I smiled faintly.
“And relieved.”
That evening, Olivia arrived at Damian's mansion unannounced.
He refused to see her.
She demanded an explanation.
Martha told her he was unavailable.
Olivia began shouting in the foyer.
Damian eventually appeared.
“You're embarrassing the household,” he said.
Olivia stared.
“Excuse me?”
He looked at her.
“That's what you used to say about Emma.”
Olivia's face changed.
Damian continued.
“Do you know how many times I repeated your stories without checking whether they were true?”
Olivia looked away.
“Damian—”
“Do you know what that did to her?”
Olivia's eyes filled.
“I never meant—”
He shook his head.
“Intent doesn't erase what you did.”
For a moment, Olivia looked genuinely shaken.
Then she whispered:
“She always made me feel small.”
Damian stared.
“What?”
Olivia began crying.
“Emma was kind. Everyone liked her. Mother praised her. You loved her.”
She swallowed.
“And I hated that she never seemed to need to fight for it.”
Damian looked at his sister.
For the first time, he saw the jealousy beneath years of cruelty.
But understanding it didn't excuse it.
“You need help, Olivia,” he said.
She stared.
“And you need to apologize to Emma without expecting her to forgive you.”
Olivia left in tears.
Damian watched her go.
Then returned to his office.
On his desk lay the latest financial report.
May you like
The account bearing Emma's name had transferred nearly six million dollars over eighteen months.
And Victor Salerno had approved every transaction.
