When I Left, He Found His Way Back-Chapter 22: Maddie’s change

Jessica’s POV

So, that’s it? I thought to myself, settling into one of the sleek sofas. She’s worried about a reputation she barely has?

I spoke up, my words coming out a little too forced. "You don’t have to worry about that. I’m not doing anything that would ruin yours or mom’s reputation."

My sister turned to face me, her lips compressed into a thin line. Her eyes seemed to hold a thousand unspoken words, but she bit them back.

I couldn’t help but wonder, Why are they like that? Sometimes, I’d catch glimpses of care or kindness, but before I could grasp them, they’d vanish.

Her gaze lingered on mine, a mix of frustration and concern swirling beneath the surface.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, trying to bridge the gap between us.

For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of vulnerability. But it was quickly replaced by her usual bitchy expression.

"If nothing is okay, what can you do about it?" she glared at me, her voice dripping with frustration. "I was just saying you shouldn’t be running around the city like a homeless person. You need to think about your safety and our family’s reputation."

I felt a sting from her words, but I tried to remain calm. "My safety? You’re worried about my safety now? That’s rich coming from you."

Her eyes flashed with anger. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," I shrugged. "Just that you’ve made it clear you don’t care about my well-being. So, spare me the concern."

She stared at me as if I’ve got seven heads, probably shocked that I retorted. Suddenly, she stomped her feet and turned to leave. "This conversation is over."

I watched her storm into her room, feeling a mix of relief and regret. Why did our conversations always end in battles?

A sigh escaped my lips as I debated whether to follow Maddie or leave for the mall. But before I could decide, Maddie stormed back into the living room, her face etched with hurt.

"Jessica, I didn’t like the way you spoke to me," she began, her voice trembling. "I’m not such a bad –" She bit back her words, but the pain in her eyes was unmistakable.

I stood up, closing the distance between us. My heart ached with emotions as I spoke.

"Maddie, I don’t understand why you and mom seem to hate me, or think I’m out to ruin everything. For years, I’ve walked on eggshells, avoiding anything that might displease you both. Yet, no matter how hard I try, it’s never enough."

My voice cracked as I continued. "I’ve been so careful, so considerate. But the more I try to please you, the more it seems to push you away. I’m tired of being the scapegoat, tired of being the one who’s always wrong."

Maddie’s expression faltered, and for a moment, I saw a glimmer of the sister I longed for.

"Jess, I..." she started, her voice barely above a whisper.

I held my breath, hoping she’d finish her sentence, hoping we could finally bridge the gap between us, but she didn’t.

The silence between us grew heavier, like a physical weight pressing down on my chest. I felt a lump form in my throat as I waited for Maddie’s response.

"Say something, Maddie," I urged, my voice cracking. "Tell me, do you really believe I’m cursed? That I’m to blame for dad’s death?"

Maddie’s gaze dropped, her eyes avoiding mine. Her silence was deafening, a confirmation of the painful truth.

I felt a stinging sensation in my eyes as tears threatened to spill. "All these years, I’ve carried this guilt, wondering if I could’ve done something differently. But to hear you and mom say those things... it cuts deep."

My voice trembled. "I thought we were family, Maddie. I thought we were supposed to support each other, not tear each other apart."

"We are a family!" she yelled, her voice shaking. And for the first time, I saw her tears fall, streaming down her face like a river.

Her eyes darted around restlessly, as if searching for an escape from the emotions overwhelming her. "You’re my sister, Jessica," she whispered, her voice cracking.

She stretched out her hand, hesitantly, as if unsure if I’d accept it. I stared at her outstretched hand, then into her tear-stained face.

Something shifted inside me. For the first time in years, I felt a glimmer of hope.

I took her hand, feeling a spark of connection.

Just then, the doorbell rang, shattering the fragile moment.

Maddie’s eyes snapped towards the door, her expression faltering.

" Ignore it," I whispered urgently, not wanting the moment to slip away.

But Maddie’s gaze lingered on the door, her grip on my hand loosening.

"Wait," she said softly, "I think I should get it."

I stood frozen, my words stuck in my throat as Maddie walked away to answer the door. The muffled conversation was indistinct, something about a lost dog, but my mind wasn’t on the conversation. I was waiting for Maddie’s return, for the truth, for the reason behind her years of coldness.

Minutes ticked by, each one weighing heavier on my chest. Finally, Maddie reappeared, her expression transformed.

"Maddie, you were saying something..." I began, hope rising in my chest.

But her response was a slap in the face.

"Get away from me, you jinx!" she spat, shoving me onto the couch. Her eyes blazed with venom as she towered over me.

"Why should I or mom like you? You’ve brought nothing but chaos into our lives. Our family was perfect until you arrived." Her voice cracked, but her anger kept it steady.

"If only I had cried more, mom and dad would have returned you to whatever pit you came from. Then my dad wouldn’t have died, our family wouldn’t be ruined." Tears streamed down her face, but they were tears of rage, not sorrow.

"I hate you, Jessica. I hate you!" she screamed, turning to flee to her room.

The door slammed shut behind her, leaving me shattered, my heart in pieces. The words I’d longed to hear had finally been spoken, but they were not the words I’d hoped for.

I stumbled out of the villa, my legs moving on autopilot. The warm sun beat down on me, but I felt only cold, numbing despair.

My heart weighed heavier than my legs, suffocating under the burden of Maddie’s words. I clenched my fist, feeling the pain of my nails digging into my palm.

"Why?" I whispered to myself. "What changed?"

Maddie was fine, almost vulnerable, until she answered the door. Who was it? What did they say?

The memory of her words replayed in my mind like a cruel mantra: "I hate you, Jessica. I hate you." Each syllable stung, tearing away the fragile threads of hope.

I walked blindly, tears streaming down my face. The world blurred around me, a display of colors and sounds.

Suddenly, I found myself at Hilda’s place, surrounded by strangers and noise. I had no recollection of how I got there.

The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel