As Neva begrudgingly agreed to listen, the room remained thick with tension. But Alise knew she must have cared since she came, even if she claimed she didn't.
She spoke up, "I want to acknowledge the pain I caused by cutting off contact. Back then, I thought you held it against me because I pursued my dreams while you couldn't. I thought you wouldn't have supported me.
Sincere and Silon listened, their expressions shifting between skepticism and understanding. They saw her point of view but also thought she had assumed too quickly.
She continued, saying that it was a big misconception on My end and that she should have sought more into it.
Neva cut her off, her voice cutting through the silence. Her words reflected the collective sentiment of the family: "You cut us off, Alise. You never even tried to see how we would have felt. Although you left, we thought you would at least contact us, but you didn't. We never heard from you. And that hurt."
Alise met her gaze. It stung her heart with guilt. "I know," she admitted. "I'm sorry."
Neva's frustration seemed to intensify. "Sorry won't change what you did. We're your siblings, but you just cut us off like we meant nothing to you."
"I know I can't change the past," Alise replied, her voice reflecting a desire to move forward. "I can't take back what I did. But the main reason I'm having this conversation is because I want to move forward and reconnect with you guys. I hope we can consider working on things."
Silon and Sincere looked at her, not as angry anymore. Sincere spoke, saying he was willing to move forward and give it a chance, and Silon nodded in agreement. Neva looked at both of them, her emotions in turmoil. She felt wronged, but she couldn't ignore the longing for the bond she wanted to share with everyone.
"I don't know if I can forgive you fully, Elise," Neva admitted. "But I'm willing to try."
It appeared that they, too, desired reconciliation, at least to give it a chance. Relief washed over Alise as she realized everyone was willing to make an effort.
She thanked them, feeling all the emotions surging within her. They were giving them a chance, and they didn't have to. She felt grateful. And after that, it went silent. It was awkward. She didn't know what to say.
So, she decided to bring up the marriage arrangement between the Myers family and theirs. She looked at them as she told them she agreed. They all exclaimed, 'What? You agreed?'
Neva: "Didn't you fight Dad the whole way years ago? Besides, you don't even know the Myers family's youngest son."
Alise nodded, feeling a mix of emotions. "Yes, I did resist the idea at first, but a lot has changed since then. And I've had lots of shitty experiences. Maybe it's time for a fresh start, not just with you all, but with this arrangement too. As for not knowing the Myers family's youngest son.
"I was hoping you guys did," she said, her cheesy smile growing wider. Neva skipped over her question, her concern evident as she continued to assess Alise's decision. "You're crazy," she reiterated, her tone softening slightly. "I won't tell you what to do with your life, but I think you should reconsider."
It was clear that she wanted Alise to weigh her choices carefully. Alise nodded in acknowledgment, but she felt the need to explain further. "Neva, I get where you're coming from. This may seem sudden, but I've reached a point where I want something different.
"It's not about love in the traditional sense; it's about a partnership, maybe even friendship. I'm tired of life passing me by at 23, tired of fake friends and toxic relationships. Maybe I could get what I want in This marriage."
Neva continued, her concern deepening. "I still don't think this is the best way, though," and Silon nodded in agreement.
Tears welled up in Alise's eyes as she struggled to hold back her emotions. "You don't understand," she choked out. "I've been through a lot. I'm tired, so tired."
They were shocked to see her so vulnerable, and Sincere voiced his concern, saying, "What have you been put through while you were away?"
Alise hesitated, looking around the room at their curious and concerned faces. But she wasn't ready to reveal the details; she hated pity, and she knew they would shower her with it.
So, she simply replied, "I'll share more when I'm ready. For now, I just want a chance to make things right between us and find some stability."
Silon and Sincere nodded, but Neva was curious. Alise had always known Neva was impatient and always wanted the details right away, but Alise just couldn't.
She looked at her and said, "You won't convince me to tell you anytime sooner," I am still sore, the wound isn't even old yet, and my heart still had nonstick tape on it.
Neva sighed in understanding as she walked out, "Well, good night." Alise followed after her, using it as an excuse to escape the awkwardness that would've come afterward.
She walked back to her room, which was on the other side of the hall. As she entered, she sat down on the ground, recounting everything up to now.
She eased the tension between her and her siblings. She was content with how she thought about how their relationships may be closer than their previous ones.
Feeling weary, she decided not to climb into bed and lay on the cool floor instead. In the morning, she woke up with a parched throat. She rolled over and reached for her water bottle, opening it and gulping down the water.
She looked at her phone and saw a text from her Mother. She quickly got up and ran to the bathroom to get ready. She did her usual morning routine, making her way out of the bathroom.
She tried to find a cute outfit in her disaster suitcase. After finding something suitable, In her haste, Alise tried to slip on a pair of stockings quickly. Her mother was waiting for her, and she didn't want to keep her waiting any longer.