Chapter 20 Always Wrong
“They should definitely prepare some honey-glazed ribs and baked salmon. Those are your favorites, Ray-Ray,” Vera said, holding Raylee’s hand affectionately. Raylee smiled sweetly, the discomfort from the necklace incident instantly fading. Having lost her beloved older brother, who had cared for her since childhood, she found comfort and love only with her grandmother.
Harriet emerged from the bathroom, and Waverly immediately threw herself into her arms, sobbing. “Mom, I’ve messed up. I’ve angered Raylee…” Understanding the situation, Harriet comforted Waverly while casting a displeased look at Raylee. “It isn’t a big deal. Why do you have to make your sister cry? She only meant to surprise you out of goodwill!”
The atmosphere grew tense. Vera defended Raylee, saying, “Mom, Raylee only spent four years in prison, but Waverly endured eighteen years of hardship! What’s wrong if Ray-Ray gives in to her sometimes?” The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law argued, reaching an impasse.
Samuel glared fiercely at Raylee. “Are you happy now? What was supposed to be a joyous moment turned into a squabble between Mom and Grandma. This is all because of you!” Raylee remained silent, her anger turning to bitterness. She was making concessions, deliberately changing the subject, but ultimately, she felt it was her fault. In the Goodridge family’s eyes, she was always wrong.
“You scoundrel! Why are you scolding your sister? If you want to dine, then eat. If not, then get lost!” Vera, enraged, swung her walking stick. Samuel, unable to defy the elder, sat down, visibly annoyed, and ate. Lunch was icy and awkward. Harriet was silent; Waverly sobbed occasionally. Raylee ate quietly, speaking only to her grandmother. After lunch, she helped her grandmother to her room before resting herself.
That evening, Vera sought Raylee out to mediate. “Ray-Ray, Samuel has prepared a welcome-home ceremony for you. They’re your family. You should go. Don’t let the relationship become strained. If you’re not having fun, or if they’re not treating you well, then…”
Raylee, not wanting to disappoint her grandmother, nodded. “I’ll do as you say, Grandma.”
Goodridge Manor and the Goodridge residence were a ten-minute walk apart. Guided by a housekeeper, Raylee arrived at a basement room. Suddenly, the lights went out. The pitch-black, sealed space felt like a phantom, constricting her neck. Overwhelming fear and suffocation consumed her. She crouched fearfully, arms wrapped around herself, shivering uncontrollably.
After several minutes, the lights flickered on. The room was festively decorated; a massive two-tiered cake sat on a table. However, Raylee was still in shock, her vision blurred.
Pop! Pop! Pop! Samuel set off party poppers. “Welcome back, my little princess!” “Welcome back, Raylee. I love you!” Samuel and Waverly exclaimed. Harriet and Alaric entered, followed by housekeepers.
Raylee didn’t respond. They saw her squatting, her face devoid of expression. Alaric sternly reprimanded her. “Why are you acting like this? Ignoring everyone, as if we forced you to come back?” Raylee remained still.
Samuel tossed away the popper. “This welcome ceremony was arranged for you! We all intended to mend our relationship. Why do you insist on not appreciating it?”
Harriet hurried over. “Ray-Ray, are you upset because of what happened at noon? Let it go. Your dad agreed to let you move back. You’re still our family’s little princess.”
Raylee’s vision gradually cleared. As she saw the crowded room, her fear began to dissipate. She suffered from severe claustrophobia, developed during her imprisonment at District Nine Prison. Confined in a dark, sealed space, she endured inhuman punishments. The physical and mental torment instilled a fear of darkness and confined spaces. She wasn’t ignoring anyone; she was unwell. She was so distraught she couldn’t speak, her vision blurred, and breathing was difficult.
Alaric continued scolding. “Upset? What gives you the right? You’ve lived a life of luxury for eighteen years. What more could you want? You only served four years for Waverly. How can you compare four years to eighteen? Don’t forget, your mother, the housekeeper, switched you and Waverly as children!”
The room echoed with angry reproach. Harriet intervened. “Alaric, perhaps you should say less. You have high blood pressure.”
“This unfilial daughter is the one who upset me!” Alaric grumbled. “If you no longer wish to be part of the Goodridge family, then let’s cut all ties. Stop bothering your grandmother! It’s not fair for her to constantly argue with us over your issues!”
Raylee weakly explained, “I suffer from claustrophobia, and when the lights went out, I had an episode… I felt awful.” Her voice was weak; she was covered in cold sweat and nauseous.
Samuel mocked her. “Claustrophobia? What kind of story are you fabricating? You used to love escape rooms and haunted houses. How come I’ve never heard of you having claustrophobia?”
Waverly tearfully took the blame. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have been a downer at the welcome home ceremony. Raylee probably doesn’t want to see me here. I’ll just leave.”
Harriet worriedly said, “Waverly, it’s not your problem. You’ve put a lot of effort into this. Ray-Ray, why can’t you just behave?”
Alaric, seething, knocked the cake over. The housekeepers fled. Samuel scoffed. “Absolutely unreasonable! If you insist on behaving this way, then go ahead. I’ll pretend I don’t have a sister like you. Don’t bother coming back! Dad, Mom, Waverly, let’s go!”
As they were leaving, Raylee vomited violently, then collapsed, convulsing. The Goodridge family watched in terror and bewilderment.