Chapter 14
Sienna led Vivian back to her old room. As she stepped into the bathroom to shower, Vivian surveyed the familiar space.
Somehow, without Sienna by her side, the four walls, once a sanctuary, now felt like a cage. Her eyes became hollow and vacant. She curled into a ball in the corner, hugging her knees to her chest and waiting for Sienna.
The wind rustled the curtains, and Vivian flinched, her eyes darting around in terror. The dark memories she kept buried began to surface, vivid and cruel.
It had happened right here, on this bed. Her body began to tremble uncontrollably as silent tears streamed down her face. She never knew what fresh hell they would think of next.
When Sienna emerged, toweling her damp hair, she paused, noticing a faint musty smell. The room had been locked up too long, she thought. If needed, they could sleep elsewhere.
But then her eyes landed on Vivian–huddled in the corner, a small, trembling ball of misery.
Sienna’s heart leaped into her throat. She rushed over. “Vivian, what is it? What’s wrong?”
Vivian’s eyes were empty, her body a soulless shell. Sienna felt a surge of panic. She didn’t know what triggered her.
“Vivian, can you hear me?” she said. “It’s me, Sienna. Look at me.”
The word “Sienna” seemed to flip a switch. Vivian lashed out, shoving her away. “Sienna isn’t dead!” she screamed. “My sister isn’t dead! Get away!”
Sienna recognized the signs immediately. Her sister was suffering from severe trauma. She reached out, pulling the thrashing girl into her arms. “Vivian, it’s okay. It’s me. It’s your sister. I’m here.”
“No!” Vivian shrieked, struggling wildly. “Don’t touch me! Help!”
In her frenzy, she seized Sienna’s hand and bit down, hard. Sienna didn’t even flinch. She didn’t know what had happened, but it was clearly tied to the years she was gone. She simply held her sister tighter, murmuring soft reassurances. “It’s okay. No one’s going to hurt you. I’m here.”
The sharp, coppery scent of blood finally cut through Vivian’s haze. She looked up and froze. Sienna’s calm face came into focus, but the sight of her bleeding hand made horror crash over her like a wave.
Vivian recoiled instantly, her hands trembling as she stared at the blood staining Sienna’s skin. “No… Sienna, I didn’t mean it,” she sobbed, collapsing into Sienna’s arms. “I’m so sorry!”
“It’s okay,” Sienna soothed, her voice a gentle balm. “It’s okay. It doesn’t hurt. You’re okay, Vivian. You’re safe.”
Vivian just shook her head, starting to slap her own face in frantic self-punishment. “It’s all my fault! I hurt you!”
“Vivian, listen to me,” Sienna gently but firmly caught her hands, stopping her. “It’s okay. It doesn’t hurt. I’m back now.”
Tears and snot streamed down Vivian’s face as the words finally spilled out. “They all hurt me. Everyone. When I was sixteen, Dad’s friend came into my room while I was sleeping. He covered my mouth. I tried to bite him, so he hit me. Slapped me. They even put snakes in my bed. Frogs. So many centipedes…”
Her voice cracked as her body trembled. “Dad promised me an eighteenth birthday party, but then Linda’s cousin tried to bully me. I hit him over the head with a vase, but they said it was I who seduced him first. And Dad… Dad kicked me out. Gave me nothing. Not a penny.”
The truth was, she had met Mason before that. Her first encounter with him was on her eighteenth birthday. She was homeless, penniless, wandering the streets. She had stumbled, dazed, almost into the path of his car. He had tossed a wad of cash at her and driven away.
Sienna’s arm throbbed where Vivian had bitten her, but she barely felt it. Hearing Vivian’s story, her eyes turned red with a rage that burned hotter than any physical pain.
“Don’t worry,” she said, her voice a deadly promise. “I won’t let a single one of them get away with it. They will all pay.” Her eyes glittered with a terrifying, murderous light.
Vivian just clung to her, finding solace in her sister’s strength.
“Let’s go back to the apartment, okay?” Sienna said, her tone softening. “I’ll make you a late-night snack. Remember how you used to love my chicken stew? We can buy a chicken, and you can help me with it. I’ll make you some delicious stew.”
Vivian sniffled, the mention of a happy childhood memory piercing through the gloom—a tiny ray of light in the darkness. But then she looked at Sienna’s hand. “No,” she whispered, tears welling up again. “Your hand is hurt. We have to go to the hospital first. Please!”
“Okay,” Sienna agreed immediately. “We’ll go to the hospital first.”
1/2
As they stepped out, they passed Linda, who stood in the hallway. Hearing the commotion, Linda smirked triumphantly as they walked past her and out the door.
Back in her own room, Linda tried to sleep, but the thunderous sound of demolition from Sienna’s old room–and now her own–made it impossible. Sienna had left one final order: start renovating their rooms tonight, and don’t stop.
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Vivian watched, consumed by guilt, as Sienna’s hand was treated and bandaged.
Noticing Vivian’s expression, Sienna spoke up “Vivian, I’m thirsty. Could you get me a bottle of water?”
Vivian jumped up immediately. “Yes! Of course. I’ll go right now.”
By the time they got back to the apartment, Vivian noticed the landlord wasn’t in his usual spot, playing games on his phone, which was strange. It was late. Not wanting to be a bother, she said she wasn’t hungry anymore.
“Alright, Vivian. Stop staring at my hand. It doesn’t hurt anymore.” Sienna gently took her sister’s hand. “I know you had a panic attack. It’s not your fault, and I’m not angry with you.”
She gently patted Vivian’s back as she continued. “So please, don’t feel guilty, okay? If you really want to do something to make it up to me, you can get me some hot water and make me some tea.”
Vivian nodded eagerly. “I’ll go right now.”
When it was time for bed, Vivian insisted on sleeping on the sofa, terrified she would hurt Sienna again in her sleep.
Sienna shook her head. “My injured hand will be on the outside. You won’t touch it. Now, get in bed. It’s late.”
Vivian had no choice but to agree. All night, she whimpered in her sleep. And all night, Sienna was there, gently wiping away her tears. After Vivian finally fell asleep, Sienna quietly got up and picked up her phone to dial Lana.
“Find out about Linda’s cousin,” she demanded. “And all of Aiden’s so-called ‘friends.’ I want the files on my desk by morning.”
Lana, who had been half-asleep, was instantly wide awake. “Yes, Miss Enna.”
Sienna stared into the deep, dark night and sighed. She instinctively reached for her cigarette, but it wasn’t there.
“Lana, you’ve worked hard,” she added. “I’m doubling your bonus.”
“Miss Enna, it’s my duty,” Lana replied. To her, serving Sienna was the greatest blessing of her life. Without Sienna, there would be no Lana.