Alia took a deep breath as the plane started to descend. She has never been so nervous in her life seeing a place descending. Maybe it's because after going out of this peaceful plane, her life will never be as peaceful as this.
She took a deep breath the moment her feet touched the airport's floor. From this day forward, she knew, she will never be Quinn Alejandria Rutherford. Alejandria is dead, and Alexandria is the one who lives.
"Ms. Rutherford, this way please. The car is ready."
She nodded at her father's assistant and followed her towards the parking lot of the airport. As Alia looked at his father's assistant's back, she realized that this is the first time they've interacted after a long time. Long before, before her father disowned her, Tanya, her father's assistant was the only one who's there that always supports her. From her school events up to her achievements. No parents, but she's happy because Tanya's there.
"Tanya, where is s-she?" Alia's voice broke as she asked where her sister is.
Tanya looked at her with pity and held her close.
"She's at the lagoon, sleeping peacefully, Alia. None of this is your fault. Don't blame yourself, dear."
Tears fell from her eyes as she heard where her sister is. She's really gone. Alia can't still accept the fact that her sister is dead. But she knew that her parents will make her life a living hell by using her sister's death against her, so she must do her very best to accept the fact that her sister's gone. And no matter how much she keeps on telling herself that it wasn't her fault, she knew deep down, it was indeed her fault.
She entered their family car with a heavy heart and with crying eyes.
The entire ride towards their home was peaceful and quiet. She kept on thinking how she'll face her parents. Will they lash out their anger at her? Will they curse at her? Will they beat her up like they often do before? She's trying to prepare herself but she knew that when she's already in front of her parents, she'll always end up being the obedient and fragile youngest child of Quina and Alejandro Rutherford.
"Ms. Rutherford, we're here."
Alia feels like her heart is about to explode just seeing their family crest at the door of the gates towards their ancestral house. As the car drove towards the entrance of their house, Alia can't keep sitting still. It's been years since she's been here, but looks like nothing has changed. She roamed her eyes around the whole front yard as she walked out of the car. Nothing has changed, it still looks like the same hell hole she lived in before. And now, she's back.
"Ms. Rutherford, sir Alejandro and ma'am Quina wishes to see you at the study."
Alia can almost hear her heart pounding as she slowly walked towards the stairs reaching the front door. Before entering, she faces Tanya and gave her a smile indicating she knows where to go and that she doesn't need anyone to go along with her.
Tanya smiled at her and nodded her head opening the front door for her.
Alia took a deep breath before taking a step towards the big house she hates so much. The house looks pretty much the same inside as well, almost nothing changed, aside from the fact that all the things that are connected to her have been removed. From her favorite indoor plant to her pictures and paintings on the wall. It's like she isn't a member of this family. The only thing left that is connected to her is the biggest family picture of hers and her family at the middle of the grand staircase connecting the first and second floors.
"Ma'am Alexa? Is that you?"
Her attention was diverted when she heard someone speak from the side.
Her heart clenched as she heard one of the maids call her by her sister's name.
"Isabelle. Where's mama and papa?" She asked the young maid using her sister's accent and attitude.
Her sister is different from her in so many ways. They might look alike but their attitudes are the complete opposite. Alia is the softer one and Alexa is the feisty one. That's one of the reasons why their parents liked Alexa more than Alia, because Alexa gives out a strong personality while Alia looks more fragile often.
"A-at the S-study, young miss." the maid stuttered as she lowered he head and bowed.
Alia badly wanted to tell the maid that there's no need for her to bow to her but she stopped herself from doing so. Right now, and many more days after this, she won't be Alia, but she will be Alexa.
So didn't say anything more to the maid and made her way towards her parent's study. Her hands are trembling and her eyes are getting blurry as she remembered why she's here. With her trembling hands, she knocked on the study's door three times.
"Come in!" she flinched when she heard her father's voice from the other side of the door.
Alia closed her eyes as she slowly turned the knob of the door preparing herself for a physical or mental pain they'll inflict on her.
"Alejandria." she heard her mother whisper.
She held her head up, and decided to face her parents.
There, she saw her mother sitting at the sofa near her father's table, while his father is sitting comfortably at his chair looking at her with piercing eyes. She sucked up a breath when their eyes met.
"M-mother, F-father." she said as she bowed her head, stuttering.
Both her parents scoffed as they heard her speak.
She's a spitting image of their beautiful and favorite daughter, which died in front of their eyes. How can they not scoff just by seeing the reason for their princess' death?
"You Bitch!" she got startled when her father suddenly screamed and charged towards her.
She stood firmly on her ground, closed her eyes tight while waiting the feeling of pain in her body. But unfortunately, there was none. So she slowly opened her eyes only to see his father looking at her with disgust as her mother tries to stop him from hurting her.
"Please, Alejandro, we need her. We can't have her getting bruised." her mother said trying to calm her father.
The hope rising within her vanished the moment she heard what her mother said. She was silently hoping that her mother somehow tried to protect her because after all this years, she realized that she means something to her, but no. She held her hopes up too high this time. And the downfall broke her once more.
Her father then took a deep breath and returned to his seat as well as her mother. She was left there standing, in front of both of them.
"Do you know why you're here?" Her mother asked her calmly.
"Yes." she answered in a low voice.
"Speak louder!" her mother���s voice boomed around the room.
She flinched and closed her eyes for a second.
"Yes, mother." Alia said clearer and louder this time.
"Why are you here, then?" his father's voice was laced with coldness that it made her shiver.
Her eyes started to blur because of what she's feeling. They are supposed to be her family. They are supposed to be protecting her and guiding her. Not blame her, resent her and make her atone for a sin she never meant to commit.
"I'm here to atone for my sin. I'm here to be punished for being the cause of death of my S-sister." she swallowed the lump in her throat as tears started to fall from her eyes.
She suddenly heard her mother crying that's why she lifted her head up a little just to see how her mother is doing.
"Keep your head hanging low, Alejandria." His father said sternly which she immediately obeyed.
"Your sister died because of you. But no one knows that but us. So now, we made everyone believe that it was you who died instead of your sister. Your sister's life is more valuable than yours for she serves as a great contributor in our family's name." her father said mercilessly even though he knew that every word breaks her. He cared not one bit about how she feels. That is how evil her father is.
"Now, you are to live as her. You must learn how to act, behave, talk, walk, smile, eat, interact, and think like her. This is how you'll atone for your sin. Your life, as a payment for her death." His father added looking at her with a piercing glare.
Tears continued to fall from her eyes as she nodded her head as a sign of approval as to what her father said. No matter how much she wanted to protest, she knew she couldn't. This is now her life, and this is the only way for everyone to continue living. She must sacrifice her life, as to how her sister sacrificed hers, for her.