I approached Anissa, attempting to reason with her. "Ani, please listen—"
She raised her hands, halting me. "Don't, Dahlia. Just leave me alone."
Tears streamed down her face. "I wish Mom and Dad were still alive. They loved me, truly loved me."
Aunt Sophie's expression shifted from concern to accusation.
"If only you hadn't been so selfish, Anissa," Aunt Sophie said, her voice laced with venom.
I recoiled, shocked.
Anissa's eyes widened.
"What do you mean, Aunt Sophie?" I asked.
Aunt Sophie's face contorted. "You were always so demanding, Anissa. Your parents were exhausted trying to keep up with your needs."
Anissa's sobs intensified.
"Remember how gifted Dahlia was?" Aunt Sophie continued. "Everyone loved to complement her, talk to her. Your mom worried you'd feel left out, so she signed you up for piano lessons."
Anissa's body shook.
"You were good, Anissa," Aunt Sophie acknowledged. "You even won awards. But did you ever think of anyone else's feelings?"
Anissa's face crumpled.
"Your parents were so proud of you," Aunt Sophie said, her voice dripping with malice. "But you forced them to come to your finals, calling them incessantly. They got into that accident on the way...because of you."
The room fell silent.
I felt sick.
Anissa's cries echoed through the room.
"Aunt Sophie, stop!" I pleaded.
But Aunt Sophie continued.
"Your selfishness destroyed this family," she spat.
Anissa collapsed.
I rushed to her side.
"Ani, I'm so sorry," I whispered.
Aunt Sophie's words cut deep.
"Anissa, you've always been so self-centered," she said. "You never considered anyone else's happiness."
Anissa's pain-filled eyes met mine.
"Dahlia, I'm sorry," she whispered.
My heart broke.
Aunt Sophie's sobs shook her entire body, a mixture of grief and guilt. "Anissa, leave us," she managed to say between gasps.
Anissa fled, tears streaming down her face.
I remained, shocked by Aunt Sophie's breakdown.
As I returned to my room, memories flooded my mind.
After our parents' passing, Aunt Sophie and Uncle Jack were always traveling. Whenever she returned, it coincided with Anissa's departure to boarding school.
I never understood why Anissa was sent away.
Aunt Sophie showered me with gifts and affection, braiding my hair and listening to my stories.
But whenever Anissa returned, Aunt Sophie would grow distant.
It explained why Aunt Sophie sent Anissa abroad to study.
Why she didn't hesitate when I went abroad for my acting gig, but cried instead.
Aunt Sophie's guilt and regret were palpable.
I realized Aunt Sophie's behavior wasn't just favoritism, but a coping mechanism.
She couldn't face Anissa, a constant reminder of her own failures.
And the unbearable truth: she blamed Anissa for our parents' death.
The incessant calls, the accident on the way to Anissa's piano finals.
Aunt Sophie's mind linked the two, fueling her resentment.
My heart ached for both Aunt Sophie and Anissa.
Trapped in a cycle of guilt and blame.
Aunt Sophie couldn't forgive her.
And Anissa suffered the consequences.
The next day, Clyde's call was a welcome respite from the tension.
"Hey, beautiful. Want me to pick you up?"
I smiled, anticipation building.
"Aunt Sophie's taking Rhodes to school. Come then."
"See you soon."
Clyde arrived, and I flung myself into his arms.
He chuckled, spinning me around.
"I missed you," I whispered.
Clyde's eyes crinkled.
"I missed you too."
We stole kisses, our passion reigniting.
Aunt Sophie's absence provided a temporary escape.
As we pulled away, Clyde's hand intertwined with mine.
"Last night was tough, huh?"
I nodded.
"Anissa and Aunt Sophie...it's complicated."
Clyde listened attentively.
"I'm here for you," he reassured.
We arrived at the set.
Clyde walked me to the entrance.
"Break a leg, beautiful."
His lips brushed mine.
"Good luck."
With a final smile, he left.
I watched him go, feeling grateful.