Chapter 8 - THE SISTER WHO BROKE HER OWN FAMILY
Lydia arrived at Hannah's apartment three weeks after Evelyn left Chicago.
Evelyn opened the door.
Her sister stood in the hallway holding a small suitcase.
Her eyes were red.
“Evie.”
Evelyn stared.
“What are you doing here?”
Lydia swallowed.
“I need to talk.”
Evelyn hesitated.
Then stepped into the hallway.
They remained outside the apartment.
Lydia began crying.
“I made a terrible mistake.”
Evelyn folded her arms.
“Which one?”
Lydia looked down.
“Damian.”
Evelyn waited.
“And Nicholas.”
Evelyn's expression changed.
Lydia continued.
“He told me you were hiding money.”
“From whom?”
“Damian.”
“And you believed him?”
Lydia nodded.
Evelyn stared.
“Why?”
Her sister began crying harder.
“Because I was jealous.”
The words hung between them.
Lydia continued.
“You had everything.”
Evelyn laughed bitterly.
“Everything?”
“The house. The money. Damian.”
Evelyn shook her head.
“You wanted my marriage?”
Lydia looked away.
“Yes.”
Evelyn felt something inside her break.
Lydia whispered, “I thought if he saw me differently—”
“Stop.”
Her sister fell silent.
Evelyn stepped back.
“You weren't a child, Lydia.”
“I know.”
“You weren't confused.”
“I know.”
“You made choices.”
Lydia nodded through her tears.
“And those choices hurt me.”
“I know.”
Lydia reached for her hand.
Evelyn moved away.
“Please forgive me.”
Evelyn looked at her.
“I can't.”
Lydia began crying again.
Evelyn continued.
“Maybe someday I'll be able to think about you without feeling sick.”
Her voice trembled.
“But not today.”
Lydia lowered her head.
Evelyn took a breath.
“You need to cooperate with the investigation.”
“I will.”
“And you need to stop blaming other people for what you did.”
Lydia nodded.
Evelyn opened the apartment door.
Then looked back.
“I loved you before I knew what betrayal meant.”
Her eyes filled.
“That doesn't mean I have to let you hurt me again.”
May you like
She stepped inside.
And closed the door.
