Chapter 12 - THE SISTER WHO LOST EVERYTHING
Victoria arrived at Audrey's apartment on a cold February afternoon.
She wore sunglasses.
A plain coat.
No diamonds.
No dramatic entrance.
Audrey opened the door and stared.
"Victoria?"
Her sister looked exhausted.
"Can I come in?"
Audrey hesitated.
Then stepped aside.
Victoria entered.
She looked around the small apartment.
"This is where you live?"
Audrey nodded.
"Yes."
Victoria sat on the sofa.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then Victoria whispered:
"Preston left me."
Audrey remained silent.
"He says I knew everything."
Audrey looked at her.
"Did you?"
Victoria's eyes filled.
"I knew some of it."
Audrey felt her chest tighten.
"How much?"
Victoria looked down.
"Enough."
Silence.
Audrey sat opposite her.
"Why did you let them use my name?"
Victoria began crying.
"I thought Daddy would fix it."
Audrey stared.
"That's what everyone thought."
Victoria wiped her cheeks.
"I was jealous of you."
Audrey blinked.
"Of me?"
Victoria nodded.
"You were always the smart one."
Audrey laughed bitterly.
"You spent years telling me I was ugly."
"I know."
"You humiliated me in front of hundreds of people."
Victoria covered her face.
"I know."
Audrey's eyes filled.
"Do you have any idea what that did to me?"
Victoria shook her head.
"No."
For the first time, her sister had no clever insult.
No excuse.
No smile.
Only shame.
Audrey took a breath.
"I don't know if I can forgive you."
Victoria nodded.
"I understand."
"But I hope you tell the truth to the investigators."
Victoria looked up.
"I will."
Audrey studied her.
Then said:
"That's where you start."
Victoria nodded.
She stood to leave.
At the door, she turned.
"Audrey?"
"Yes?"
Her sister swallowed.
"You were never ugly."
Audrey stared.
Victoria continued.
"I just couldn't stand that you had something I didn't."
Audrey's voice was quiet.
"What?"
Victoria looked at her.
"Integrity."
Then she left.
May you like
Audrey closed the door.
And cried for the sister she'd never truly had.
