Shattered Vows

Chapter 6: The Family Dynamic

The drive to her mother's house felt longer than usual. Sophie gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles white as she navigated the familiar streets. Every memory of her childhood with Jessica flickered through her mind like a movie she wished she could turn off. But the more she tried to push the thoughts away, the more they consumed her.

Today, she was going to see her mother. The woman who had always adored Jessica. The golden child, as Sophie had come to think of her. Even now, knowing what she knew, Sophie wasn't sure what to expect. Would her mother care? Would she believe her if she revealed the truth? Or would she, as always, find some way to excuse Jessica's behavior?

When Sophie pulled into the driveway of her childhood home, the house seemed smaller than she remembered. It had been months since she last visited, and the sight of it now felt oddly foreign—like she was returning to a place she no longer belonged.

She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come. This visit wasn't just about seeing her mother; it was about facing the family dynamic that had always put Jessica on a pedestal and left Sophie in the shadows. Today, that pedestal felt higher than ever.

Diane greeted Sophie at the door with her usual warm smile, her silver hair neatly curled, and her floral apron tied around her waist. The smell of freshly baked cookies wafted through the house, and for a brief moment, Sophie felt like she was stepping back in time to when things were simpler, when Jessica's betrayal was an unthinkable concept.

"Sweetheart! It's so good to see you," Diane exclaimed, pulling Sophie into a tight hug.

Sophie hugged her back, but her arms felt heavy. She forced a smile. "Good to see you too, Mom."

Diane ushered her inside, leading her to the cozy living room where a pot of tea was already waiting. "I wasn't sure what time you'd get here, so I made us some tea and cookies. You'll stay for a while, won't you?"

Sophie nodded, sinking into the familiar couch, trying to shake the feeling of dread that had settled in her chest. She glanced around the room, noting the framed family photos that lined the shelves—pictures of her and Jessica growing up, vacations, holidays. And, of course, recent photos of Jessica at various events, always beaming with pride.

Diane poured the tea, her face glowing with that contentment Sophie had seen a thousand times before. "I was just telling your sister the other day how proud I am of her. She's been doing so well with her career, don't you think? I mean, she's always had that drive, that natural talent. I don't know where she gets it from, but she's just so... accomplished."

Sophie's fingers tightened around her cup, the heat seeping into her skin as her mother's words stung deeper than usual. Accomplished. Talented. Perfect. It was always the same. Jessica could do no wrong in Diane's eyes.

"That's great, Mom," Sophie said, forcing herself to sound neutral, though the words tasted bitter. "I'm sure she's doing just fine."

Diane didn't seem to notice the tension in Sophie's voice. She continued on, her tone bright and proud. "And, of course, I'm so happy for you and Mark. You two are going to have such a beautiful life together. The engagement party was wonderful, wasn't it? I couldn't be prouder of the both of you."

Sophie's heart clenched at the mention of the engagement party. The memory of that night was still raw, the image of Mark and Jessica locked in their kiss flashing before her eyes. Her mother's ignorance of the truth only made it worse. Diane sat there, singing their praises, oblivious to the lies that had torn Sophie's world apart.

"How is Mark, by the way?" Diane asked, sipping her tea. "I haven't seen him since the party. He's such a good man, Sophie. You're lucky to have found him."