The Kind Older Sister Is No More

2 - Shattered Hope

"If it's just a misunderstanding like you said, then why are you still standing on Riel's side?"

"That's because she has a weak body. You should understand since you're her sister."

"You're right. I'm her sister." Irene simply gave up on questioning the situation. She just agreed with what Boris said.

Lying on the floor, Riel looked up at Irene with a tearful face. As she tried to get up from the floor, her frail body continued to shake. She clutched her chest in agony with her hand.

"Irene, I really...ah..." Irene stared at her with cold eyes even when Riel tried to say something. And then, Riel started to clench her hand like she was in pain.

"Riel! Are you hurt?"

Boris felt stunned when he saw Riel's condition. He hurriedly assisted her when her frail body fell over. Riel then raised her head and looked toward Irene with a mournful face.

"Irene, I..."

"Riel!"

The usual me would've been the first person to move and take care of Riel's 'condition', but it was different now.

Irene stayed still as the situation unfolded before her. She then lowered her head to Riel's level and began to speak in a cold tone.

"Don't call my name again. From now on, I'm not your sister anymore."

"Irene! What are you talking about?"

"And you, Boris!" Irene exclaimed as she turned her back at Riel, walking out of the room.

"Get out of my house right now! I'm done with you."

She could hear the sound of Boris shouting from behind. However, she didn't turn back and even firmly slammed the door on her way out.

♔♔♔

Irene left Riel's room and went down the stairs. Several maids passed her as they ran up to check what had happened to Riel.

Due to her frequent seizures, Riel's room had a special bell fitted in it for emergency situations. It seems that Boris rang the bell.

Usually, Irene would've been the first person to help Riel if the bell ever rang. She didn't need to run for that long since her room was right next to Riel's bedroom.

This was why she couldn't even rest appropriately in her room. She had to be alert at all times in case the bell rang.

There was a time when she didn't notice the sound of the bell since she was focused on painting. Her late response put Riel in a critical condition.

Back then, Riel had been in a severe condition when she arrived. Her sister was lying on the floor, unable to breathe properly. Her doctor was doing CPR and urgently supplying oxygen to her.

Fortunately, Riel managed to regain consciousness. However, after that day, Irene was now prohibited from painting.

"Miss Irene? Is everything all right?"

When she arrived at the garden, the butler, who didn't know the state of the mansion, asked her this with a curious look.

This was because she was usually taking care of Riel. It was infrequent for her to be alone, by herself here.

It was pretty funny how the butler asked this question just because she came down alone. It showed how much she was forced to stay with Riel and rarely had time alone.

However, It will be different from now on.

"Is there an extra room on the third floor?"

"We have plenty of extra rooms. Five guest rooms are ready to be used."