Chapter 43
Anna stopped in the doorway of her luxury apartment, her fingers trailing across the doorframe. For a moment, she let herself. remember Sterling Manor those ancient trees, the perfectly manicured gardens, everything that should have been hers permanently. Now it was all slipping through her fingers.
A familiar voice in the hallway made her stomach drop. Not now. Please, not today. But when she checked through the peephole, her worst fears were confirmed.
Mike and Jenny, her real parents, stood outside, still in their fast–food uniforms that reeked of grease and cheap detergent. Between them was Ethan, looking uncomfortable in his high school uniform. The contrast between their appearance and her designer outfit made Anna’s skin crawl.
She yanked open the door, not bothering to hide her annoyance. “What are you doing here?”
Jenny pushed forward with that nervous smile Anna hated. “Of course we came, sweetheart! With your engagement to Richard Vein… we’re your parents! We should be involved!”
Anna’s fingers curled into fists as Mike brushed past her, dropping his bulky frame onto her imported leather sofa. Great, now she’d have to get it cleaned again. And Jenny was already bustling around with that horrible bargain–brand cleaner she insisted on using everywhere.
“Stop! Anna lunged forward as Jenny aimed the spray bottle at her Italian marble floor. “You can’t use that here! This isn’t some greasy diner!”
Mike lit up one of his cheap cigarettes, completely ignoring her distress. “Getting awful particular since moving to the city, aren’t you?”
“Because there are standards here!” Anna snapped, rushing to open windows. “Rules! You can’t just treat everything like it’s your
kitchen floor!”
Jenny’s perpetual smile wavered. “We just want to help, dear. With the wedding plans-”
“There is no wedding!” The words burst out before Anna could stop them. “Not anymore! Thanks to her coming back!”
The room went dead silent. Even Mike’s cigarette froze halfway to his mouth.
“Her?” Jenny’s voice had gone small. “You don’t mean…”
“Irene.” Ethan’s voice cut through the tension like a knife. He’d been so quiet they’d almost forgotten he was there. “She’s back, isn’t
she?”
Anna let out a bitter laugh. “Oh yes, your precious sister is back. Living in luxury while I’m stuck here… And now Richard… he keeps finding excuses to delay the engagement announcement. Ever since she came back, everything’s falling apart!”
“Good.” Ethan’s voice was ice–cold. “It’s about time someone saw through your act.”
“Ethan!” Jenny gasped, but he was just getting started.
“You want to talk about Irene?” His voice shook with five years of bottled rage. “Let’s talk about how she was more of a sister to me in twenty years than you’ve been in five! Let’s talk about how she actually cared about this family instead of just using us as stepping stones!”
“That’s enough!” Mike struggled to his feet. “Show some respect to your sister!”
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Chapter 43
“She’s not my sister! Ethan’s voice cracked. “My sister was the one who stayed up all night when I had a fover! Who saved her allowance to buy me birthday presents! Who actually cared about me instead of just chasing designer labels!”
”
Tears welled in his eyes as memories flooded back every time Irene had helped with homework, defended him from bullies, or just been there when he needed someone to talk to. All those moments that made her real family, blood or not.
“Want to know the real difference between you and Irene?” His voice dropped to a whisper. “She never had to pretend. She was just… good. Actually good, not this fake perfect daughter act you put on!
Anna recoiled like she’d been slapped. “How dare you! After everything I’ve done-”
“Done what?” Ethan’s laugh was bitter now. “Convinced Mom and Dad to try blackmailing the Sterlings? Pushed them to reject Irene when she needed help? Or maybe you mean still using the Sterling name even though everyone knows you’re not really one of
them?
For once, Anna had no clever comeback. Her perfect world was cracking, and she couldn’t stop it.
“You know what kills me?” Ethan’s voice broke. “I was at summer camp when she came home pregnant. By the time I got back, she was gone. Five years, and I never got to say goodbye. Never got to tell her I was sorry for not being there.” His hands clenched into fists. “But she’s back now. And this time, I’m not letting anyone drive her away!”
Before anyone could stop him, he bolted from the apartment. The sound of his footsteps faded into the echo of the emergency exit door slamming shut.
Ethan, wait!” Jenny called uselessly after him. But he was already gone, leaving only the weight of his words behind.
Anna stood frozen in her designer dress, surrounded by all the luxury she’d fought so hard for. But somehow, watching her sixteen- year–old brother choose Irene over her felt like losing everything all over again.
Mike’s cigarette smoke curled toward the ceiling while Jenny’s cheap cleaner slowly ruined the expensive floor. The perfect picture of her carefully built world falling apart.
And somewhere in the city, Ethan was running toward Sterling Manor, his heart pounding with five years of unspoken words. He had to find her. Had to make things right. Had to tell his sister his real sister – how sorry he was.
Meanwhile, Irene was busy settling her grandfather into his new home. Though Joseph’s back was still sore from the fall, his entire demeanor had brightened considerably. Having his three great–grandchildren chattering excitedly around him, showing him every corner of the house, with no unwanted faces to spoil his mood – it was exactly what he needed.
The triplets, knowing their great–grandfather had just been discharged from the hospital, were on their absolute best behavior. They carefully guided him through the house tour, especially excited to show him his room.
As they explored the house, Irene pulled out her phone and typed a quick message to Adam: “Mr. Haven, thank you for your help today. I hope you can join us for lunch as a token of my gratitude for this morning.”
