"My Stepsister, My Mate, My Curse"

Eleanor Roy's POV

"Dad! Where are you?" I shouted as I ran through the house, searching for my father to tell him the shocking news.

He emerged from his workshop, looking at me in confusion. "I'm here, Eleanor. What is it?"

I reached him, breathless, and handed him my phone so he could read the message I had received just ten minutes ago. His eyes widened as he stared at the screen, processing what he was seeing. Then, he lifted his gaze to me in disbelief. "Is she serious?"

I nodded, disheartened. "It looks like she's found the person she wants to spend the rest of her life with."

A wave of melancholy washed over me. If this was true, then my dream of bringing my parents back together had come to an end. I had to accept reality...

I sighed and hugged my father, and he returned the embrace, his voice gentle. "You should go, Eleanor."

I pulled away abruptly, my voice rising with frustration. "No, I won't go! She turned her back on us and decided to start a new life without us!"

Ten years ago, my mother had grown bored of our ordinary life-at least, that's how she described it. She left me and my father overnight, later sending him the divorce papers. She refused any settlement, telling us she wanted a fresh start. But that hadn't stopped her from checking in on me from time to time, asking how I was doing.

My father always told me not to ignore her-she was still my mother, after all. Sometimes I listened, sometimes I didn't, depending on my mood. But I missed her. I missed the warmth of our family, the way we used to be. None of that mattered now, though. She had sent me her wedding invitation...

Dad wanted me to go, but I didn't. How could I? Watching my mother walk down the aisle in a wedding dress-for someone other than my father-felt like a knife to the heart.

"Eleanor, please. She needs you. Be part of her happiness. Don't break her heart," he said, smiling warmly.

A lump formed in my throat. My voice wavered as I asked, "Are you trying to get rid of me too?"

He let out a soft chuckle, his voice as soothing as ever. "Of course not, sweetheart. But I don't want to break your mother's heart by keeping you away."

Oh, Dad... Your heart is too big. You don't care about your own pain; you only care about hers. You still love her, despite the way she betrayed you...

I exhaled sharply. "I'll think about it," I muttered before turning and heading to my room.

Alright, let me introduce myself properly. My name is Eleanor Roy. I'm seventeen years and ten months old. In two months, I'll turn eighteen and finally be able to live on my own. My dream is to study medicine and become a pediatrician.

I'm not exactly an animal lover, but if you ask me what I despise most in this world, the answer would be-dogs. Actually, despise isn't the right word. I fear them. If given the choice between being locked in a room with an enraged demon with horns or a tiny, finger-sized puppy, I'd pick the demon without hesitation. I have a severe phobia of dogs-all kinds, whether tame or wild.

This fear stems from an old incident when I was six, just a year before my parents' divorce...

I was playing in the garden with my best friend at the time when suddenly, a rabid dog-one that had escaped from the dog catchers-appeared out of nowhere. We were easy prey, and it charged toward us like a lion ready to pounce. My friend saw it first, and in an act of sheer selfishness, she turned and ran, leaving behind nothing but a cloud of dust. I hadn't noticed the dog yet, so when it lunged at me from behind, the shock was paralyzing.

I screamed and sobbed as its fangs sank into my shoulder. The only thing that saved me was a neighbor who heard the commotion and rushed over to pull the beast off me. From that day on, dogs and I have remained on completely separate paths...

Anyway, back to my story.

I have only one close friend-Courtney. She's a wild spirit who loves shopping, makeup, and dating older guys. I never understood the appeal, but to each their own. Unlike me, Courtney adores dogs, which is why I never visit her house.

My father, Wendy Roy, works as a mechanic in an automobile factory. He's exceptionally skilled at what he does and well-liked by everyone. My mother, Maria, is a beautiful and ambitious woman. She was once completely infatuated with my father, but over the years, that passion faded, and she chose to leave him in pursuit of a new life-one of her own making...

At night, I lay on my bed after changing my clothes, staring absentmindedly at the ceiling.

"Should I attend the wedding?" I murmured aloud.

I tried to recall any memories of my childhood with my mother, but unfortunately, nothing clear came to mind.

"I was too young, so it's not my fault," I muttered again, speaking to myself.

Getting up, I went to the kitchen to prepare dinner for both my father and myself. When he returned from his workshop, we sat at the table, eating in silence-as we always did.

After a while, my father broke the quiet. "Have you made up your mind?" He sounded eager to hear my answer, but I simply shook my head.

"Dad, I need more time," I grumbled. He chuckled and replied, "I know, but you have to decide soon so you can prepare yourself for the wedding."

I shot him a sly look. "Admit it-you just want to get rid of me!"

He hesitated slightly before exclaiming, "Of course not, you little rascal! I just-"

I cut him off with a sigh. "Alright, Dad. I'll go... but only for you."

His expression softened as he smiled and patted my head. "Good girl, my little one."

Two days later...

I had packed my bags, and my father helped me organize everything I needed. He advised me not to argue with my mother and to be kind to my grandmother.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention-my mother lives with my grandmother in her hometown. I bet the old lady was the one who insisted on inviting me!

"Be nice to your mother and her fiancé, alright?" My father's voice was gentle, but beneath it, I could sense the weight of unspoken pain.

I replied lazily, "Sure... I'll be nice to the trees, the birds, and even the watermelons too."

He laughed and ruffled my hair affectionately.

"Have fun, and take lots of pictures!" he called out, waving as I walked away among the travelers. I smiled softly... I love you, Dad.

On the plane...

I fastened my seatbelt, trying to calm my racing heart. It finally hit me-I was on my way to see my mother after ten years of separation.

"Don't overthink it, Elinor. Just enjoy the flight," I whispered to myself.

The flight attendants were kind and checked on me several times. A middle-aged woman sat beside me, and we chatted for a while before I drifted into a deep sleep...

I only woke up when a flight attendant gently informed me that we had arrived and I needed to disembark. Taking a deep breath, I thanked her and grabbed my backpack.

I was the last passenger to step into the arrivals hall. Gathering my luggage onto a cart, I pushed it forward while scanning the crowd for a sign with my name, just as my mother had instructed. Apparently, my grandmother was supposed to meet me.

Rolling my eyes in exasperation, I thought bitterly about how my mother hadn't even bothered to come to the airport herself. What a mother...

Finally, my gaze landed on a sign that read "Elin Roy."

I muttered under my breath in irritation-I hated it when people shortened my name like that.

Approaching the sign, I found myself face-to-face with a woman in her mid-sixties, dressed in youthful attire, with short hair and strikingly familiar features. My grandmother, of course! She was just like my mother-both obsessed with appearing younger than their actual age.

"Elin! There you are! You've grown so much, my dear!" she cried out excitedly the moment she saw me before pulling me into a tight embrace. I returned it half-heartedly.

"Hello, Grandma... I hope you've been well."

She pulled back, flaunting her figure proudly. "I'm as fit as ever, as you can see!"

I simply smiled before following her outside, pushing my luggage cart along.

When we reached her old car, she popped open the trunk, and I loaded my bags inside before slipping into the front seat. She started the engine.

"Your mother was eager to see you, but something urgent came up, so she couldn't make it," my grandmother said as she navigated the narrow streets.

I rolled my eyes discreetly and replied with forced politeness, "That's fine, I'm not mad at her."

She chuckled. "You're such an understanding child, little Elin."

If only she knew I was just following my father's orders...

After a while, curiosity got the better of me. "Who is my mother's fiancé?"

"Harold Chandler. He's wonderful! You'll like him as soon as you meet him."

I muttered under my breath, "That's impossible." But she didn't hear me.

"Did you say something?" she asked, glancing at me.

"No, nothing!" I shook my head quickly, embarrassed. Damn this habit of mine!

We continued driving through the clean, picturesque streets. It was a beautiful town-charming for a small city. I smiled at the scenery, asking my grandmother about everything I saw, and she answered with enthusiasm.

After a short ride, we arrived at her two-story house. She parked in front, and I took a moment to take in the details. A neatly trimmed lawn, a large apple tree shading the gate, and a low white fence gave the house a warm, welcoming feel.

Stepping out of the car, I stood for a moment, absorbing the atmosphere, before waiting for my grandmother to join me. She walked ahead, unlocking the gate, and motioned for me to enter first. I hesitated but complied.

The moment I stepped over the threshold, I froze.

A small dog lay by the door, as if waiting for my grandmother. The moment it saw her, it perked up, barked twice, and dashed toward us.

My heartbeat skyrocketed, my breath catching in my throat.

The dog was tiny, but to me, it looked as big as a skyscraper!

As it closed the short distance between us, I let out a bloodcurdling scream... and then everything went black.