Chapter 12
“What the hell is Vivienne’s problem?! I’ve been texting her all day and she won’t even respond. Does she think I don’t exist anymore?!”
Leona appeared at his elbow with a glass of water, playing her usual role. “Dad, hey, try to relax. Maybe Viv just…doesn’t want to see me around.“]
She put on her best wounded expression. “I don’t know what she told Cameron, but now even Dom’s being awful to me.” []
She angled her face to show off the red welt still marking her cheek.[]
Seeing Leona hurt, Mrs. Carrington pulled the girl into her arms. “Oh, honey. I’m calling Cameron right now, and Dominic too. They’re going to march over here with Vivienne and apologize to you properly.“[]
Cameron had been living in his own guilty for days.[]
He kept asking himself the same question: Had everything they’d done these past three years been wrong?]
Every time he closed his eyes, that security footage played on repeat–Vivienne walking to the bridge’s edge without hesitation, jumping into the dark water below like she couldn’t wait to escape.[]
When his mother’s call came, he dragged himself home reluctantly.
Before he even reached the front door, laughter spilled out from the living room.]
“You’re such a sweetheart, Leona. You know mommy loves you most.“[]
Cameron froze. He’d heard that exact phrase a thousand times and never thought twice about it. But now, it sounded absolutely grating.
A voice in his head kept screaming: Wrong. This is all wrong.]
The moment Cameron walked in looking like death warmed over, his father pounced.[]
“Where’s Vivienne? Why isn’t she with you?“]
“And what’s this attitude toward Leona? I didn’t raise you to act like this.“[]
Cameron looked at the three of them cuddled together on the couch like some perfect little family unit.[]
His throat tightened. “Vivienne’s dead.“[]
The room went dead silent. []
“What… what did you just say?“[]
His father’s voice came out strangled.[]
Cameron repeated it, barely above a whisper, but in the suffocating quiet of the Carrington living room, it hit like a bomb.[]
“Vivienne’s dead. She jumped off the bridge the night of the party.“[]
り
Their mother flew at him, eyes wild and desperate.[]
“You’re lying, right? Tell me you’re lying!“]
“How could you and your sister make up something so horrible?!“]
She was falling apart, clawing at his shirt, begging him to take it back.[]
Cameron felt nothing but disgust watching the scene unfold.]
He dropped the death certificate and medical report on the table.[]
“Dom and I got these from the police station. Along with… with what Vivienne left behind before she jumped.“[]
Their mother’s hands shook as she picked up the papers, clutching them to her chest as she wailed.]]
“My baby girl! My Vivienne!“[]
Through it all, Leona sat frozen on the couch. Not crying. Not even shocked. Just… annoyed.[]
Cameron caught it all.
The second their eyes met, tears magically appeared in her eyes and her face morphed into grief.[]
She rushed to their mother’s side, gently wiping away tears.]
“Mom, I’m heartbroken about Viv too. I know this is killing you, but you can’t make yourself sick over this. Viv wouldn’t want that.“[]
Their mother clung to the comfort. “Thank God I still have you, Leona. I don’t know what I’d do without you.“[]
Their mother’s heart condition flared up from the shock. Their father helped her upstairs to rest.[]
Which left Cameron and Leona alone in the living room.].
He stared at her with laser focus. She shifted uncomfortably but kept up the act.]
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Why aren’t you sad that Vivienne’s dead?“]
Tears immediately spilled down her cheeks. “How can you even ask me that?! I’m just… I’m still processing. Even though Viv hated me, I never stopped hoping we could fix things.“[]
The performance looked genuine enough to make Cameron second–guess himself. He rubbed his temples, exhausted.]
“Sorry. I’m just… tired. Go to your room.“[]
The moment he looked away, pure venom flashed in Leona’s eyes.[]
Why can’t you just stay dead and leave me alone?]
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Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.