Love, Hate, and Karma

Chapter 1: My Sister Took Everything (Part 1)

I was driving after picking up some orange chicken from Dan's favorite Chinese place. I have been working very late these pasts months, to earn some extra money for the upcoming wedding, and I know Dan has been complaining a lot about it, but I reassured him, that it wasn't for forever. Of course, after the wedding, I would cut down my working hours, so I can spend more time with my soon-to-be-husband. I smiled as I am thinking of maybe taking an extra day off next week to go on a date with him. Maybe we can catch up on watching a movie in the cinema we have been postponing for too long.

I stopped at a traffic light, and one of the bags from the Chinese place fell from the seat. I sighed and picked it up and scoffed when I saw it was the dinner I have picked for my younger sister. I know she volunteered to keep cooking dinner for us, as a thank you for staying in our place when her roommate kicked her out of the apartment because the boyfriend moved in. Honestly, she has been a great help lately, I really think the house would look like a dumpster fire if my sister hasn't been there to help with the chores.

At first, I was worried, that Dan would be very much against having my sister move in with us, so close before the wedding. But they have known each other now for four years since I dated Dan when we were in college. At first, Dan didn't like my sister very much, as she was the complete opposite of me; very outgoing, a typical party girl, enjoying the attention of many guys, and more worried about having fun and working as little as possible.

But after Chelsea moved in with us, he warmed up to her, and now they are getting along very greatly. Dan even said he finally has a little sister he always wanted, as the youngest child in a family with three boys.

I'm truly blessed that the people I love the most in the world, are getting along so well, though I hope Chelsea will soon find her own place. It's not that I don't want my little sister around anymore, but I want to fully enjoy my newlywed life with Dan after the wedding.

Maybe I can talk about that subject over dinner. It makes me feel guilty, especially after everything Chelsea does in the household for us, while I was busy working over 60 hours a week. That is why this Friday night, I went home earlier than usual, and brought dinner for all of us, as a small thank-you. I know I have my reasons to work a lot these past months, just so that I can pay off half the wedding as much as possible. My parents couldn't contribute much, nor at all since they said they are saving for Chelsea's wedding in the future. My parents have been adamant, that I am more than capable of paying for my own wedding.

I don't mind, honestly, I don't need a big wedding, as long I can marry the love of my life, Dan. I wouldn't even mind eloping with him, but his family really wanted a nice celebration, so Dan and I have decided to pay for the wedding on our own. We earn decent enough anyway.

I stopped at our house, but the only lights that are on, are dim ones in Dan's and my bedroom. I was wondering if Chelsea went to sleep early, since there were no lights on in her bedroom, nor in the living room. It was almost seven pm, usually, I am home between nine and ten. Well, Chelsea did mention that she was having a big headache this morning, so I guess she went sleeping early tonight.

I parked my car and then went to the door, unlocking it. I don't want to wake up my little sister, so I tiptoed to the kitchen to put the dinner on the table when I heard some weird noises. I tried to listen.

They were coming from upstairs, rhythmic and constant. Dan must be working on a wall or something, I thought.

Then I heard my sister. She was crying out loud. Saying my fiancé's name.

My body started to shake. I stood there frozen in the kitchen. I dropped the food, and it made a thumping sound, but the noises upstairs didn't stop. I covered my mouth with both of my hands, so as to not make any sounds because, at the moment, I was close to losing my mind and letting out a scream.

My eyes filled with tears. I just stood there, shaking all alone in the kitchen. My mind was racing. What should I do?

My sister got louder and louder, and then I heard my fiancé's voice, calling out back to my sister. There was no mistaking what they were doing.

The rhythm became stronger, and the bed was shaking louder with them.

My tears were flowing now, I had to do something. Should I confront them? Should I run away and never come back?

My body was answering me. Before I could do anything else, I quietly went up the stairs. I had to grip the staircase tightly, or else my legs would give in, and I would fall down. I could clearly hear them, almost seeing what they were doing by simply listening. I don't want to see, I really don't, but my body wouldn't stop. I approached the bedroom I shared with Dan for over a year now. They were there, inside, and the door was not fully closed.

My fingers were shaking uncontrollably as I slightly pushed it open. There they were. On my bed. Breaking my heart and trust, after everything I did for them. When I saw my sister, my own flesh and blood, on top of the man I was planning to devote my life to, I couldn't stop myself from letting out a painful cry.

It took several seconds for them to realize that the cry they were hearing was not from their lovemaking. My sister turned around and let out a panicked scream, before getting off my fiancé. Dan immediately pushed Chelsea aside and grabbed his pants from the floor.

"Babe!" he shouted in shock.

"Charlie oh my God!" my sister immediately tried to cover herself up using the covers. "Why are you here?! We thought you would come home later like usual!"

I shook my head in disbelief as I was crying out loud.

"Why...?" I asked, repeatedly.

"Babe it's not what it looks like, I can explain!" Dan shouted frantically.

"How could you!" I screamed at both of them.

"Sissy please..." my sister started to cry.

"No!" I screamed my lungs out. "You do not call me by that nickname! Only my little sister can call me that! You are NOT my sister, you hear me!? You are not my sister!"

"Charlie calm down!" Dan, now halfway dressed, walked to approach me.

I pulled something away from my finger, raised my fist, and threw the engagement ring at him.

"Get out!" I screamed as loud as possible. "Get out! Both of you!"

"Charlie, calm down, and we can talk about this like adults-" Dan said, but before he could finish, I turned around and went to the bathroom, before locking myself in, and falling on the floor.

I curled on the cold bathroom floor, crying hysterically, while I heard Dan and my sister exchanging a few words, then the sounds of packing suitcases. My sister called my name as she sobbed, but Dan told her to give me some time to cool off. He said it so... casually as if we just had an argument over what dinner we should get and not a full-blown betrayal. I just sobbed and sobbed, and after a moment, I heard the main door being closed. Then I heard Dan's car engine as he drove away, probably with my sister.

I don't care if they went away together. Hell, they could go wherever they want, and I wouldn't care one bit.

But I was hurting so badly, it felt like my heart got ripped out. What did I do to deserve this? Was it my fault? Because I worked so much and barely had time for my own fiancé? But I did it for us, Dan knew it, and I kept reminding him of it.

Why God? Why me? I loved both of them, they were the most important people in my life, and this is how they repay me? By screwing each other and stabbing me in the back?

Did I deserve this...?