𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 │ 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧

𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍

THE FOLLOWING DAY AT THE Emerson's house, breakfast was a quiet affair. Emberly had woken up early, her mind still swirling with the emotions of last night. Her routine felt mechanical—brush teeth, wash face, get dressed—anything to keep her mind from replaying the conversation she had with Evelyn, over and over again. She deliberately avoided looking at her sister, knowing that if their eyes met, everything would come rushing back, and she wasn't ready for that. Not yet.

She sat at the kitchen table, pushing her food around her plate, barely tasting it. Her thoughts were heavy, her stomach in knots. How could Evelyn do that? How could she betray her like that? Emberly knew she could never look at her the same way again. The betrayal was like a weight on her chest that she couldn't shake off.

Across from her, Evelyn was a picture of discomfort. She hadn't touched her food, only picking at it absentmindedly, her gaze drifting to Emberly every few seconds. But whenever Emberly's eyes flickered up, Evelyn quickly averted her own. The air between them was thick with unspoken words, emotions that neither sister knew how to express. Evelyn wanted to speak, to apologize, but the words wouldn't come. What could she even say that would make things better? Could anything truly fix what she had done?

She didn't know.

Jessica and Mark, both parents at the table, exchanged looks that carried a thousand words. They were unsure whether to step in or let the girls work it out on their own. It felt odd, the silence hanging over the room like a thick fog. Normally, there was some sort of conversation—whether about school, work, or random chatter—but today was different. It was a quiet storm.

"Anyone want to go for a run? It's a nice day outside," Mark suggested, trying to break the tension, though his words felt like they were aimed at no one in particular.

"No thanks. I'm heading out," Emberly replied, standing up quickly from the table. She grabbed her plate and made a beeline for the sink, not even sparing a glance at her sister.

"Em, could we talk before you leave?" Evelyn's voice cracked, her nerves finally breaking through the mask of indifference she had been wearing all morning.

Emberly froze mid-step, her back turned to her. She gripped the plate in her hands, feeling the heat of it pressing into her palms. She wasn't ready to face this. She wasn't ready to hear any more of Evelyn's excuses. She turned her head slightly, just enough for their eyes to meet, but she didn't let herself soften. Not yet.

"About what? I think everything that had to be said was said last night," Emberly said, her voice flat, almost emotionless. She wanted to leave. She wanted to run from this conversation like she'd run from the dance last night, but she knew she couldn't. Not now.

"I just want a chance to explain it all," Evelyn insisted, her voice barely above a whisper, laced with regret.

"I don't want to know anything else. I don't wanna know why it happened, where it happened, how it happened, or anything. I've heard enough." Emberly's voice cracked slightly at the end, but she quickly masked it with a coldness she didn't even know she was capable of. This was easier. Keeping the walls up was easier than letting the hurt show.

Jessica's voice broke into the silence, her tone gentle yet firm. "Emberly, aren't you being too harsh? Your sister made a mistake. You should at least hear her out."

Emberly snapped her gaze toward her mom, fury boiling just beneath the surface. Was she really taking Evelyn's side? After everything? "Are you seriously taking her side? Mind you, she slept with my boyfriend."

"I'm not taking anyone's side," Jessica said, holding up her hands in surrender. "What Evelyn did was wrong, and you have every right to be mad at her. I'm just saying don't be so quick to dismiss her. We've all made mistakes before."