pte

s point

softly behind me. The air smelled like lemon polish and roses, just like it a

I crept up the stairs, careful to skip the third step that creaked

a crack, just like I'd left it all those years ago. T

walls, same white furniture, same collection of second-place trop

makeup three years ago, Rose standing behind me with that perfect smile. Now my mascara wa

for hours, packing what little of my old life I wanted to keep.

e twentieth time in an ho

e home so we can discuss this lik

was worried. Her carefully

istening to familiar footsteps on hardwood. The sl

he stairs. "Darling, I know you're

en smarter, faster, better at disappearing. But I'd n

bably called home from work to deal with

e'd used when I was twelve, crying about Rose getting

d freeze. Lighter, more graceful. Per

ipped concern. "Sweetie, p

was finalized. Mom and Dad beaming, Rose radiant in her new dress, thirtee

a j

me like a pun

-

clutched my script, tears blurring the wo

didn't mean to take your part. I just... the words came so

Rose had a gift. For music, for a

always meant trouble. "Maybe you could help me practice? Be

Because saying no to Rose meant disappointed looks

e brought the audience to tears. Afterward, Mo

ur "practice sessions." Or that her dramatic monologue had b

gift for memoriz

-

s voice sharpened. "This behavi

my bedr

m in her designer suit, Dad looking distinguished in his wor

me out steady. "Shouldn't yo

s the performer. "Camille,

ng with my husband? Or how you set th

ose, who already had tears forming. Perfect,

ered. "Lashing out. You k

at card again. Show them the ring, Rose. The one Stefan gave you two m

mask slipped for just a second. I saw it this time

like that,"

ng me marriage advice while sleeping with my husband. Tell them about all the times you h

m stepped forward.

steal something that belonged to her sister?" I pulle

Camille. We tried to fight it, but some people are j

hat followed

ever meant to hurt you. We

nnecting with her cheek

bed my arm. "Have y

loom on Rose's perfect face. "For the first

Rose's sobs started, the same performance she'd p

called after me. "You can't

family. Mom comforting Rose, Dad looking torn, and my sister wat

em all step back. "No, this isn't family. This is a game.

ed for me, ever the caring si

ght me well, big sister. About manipulation. About pat

real fear this t

whispered, letting her go. "Now

the foyer mirror, I caught one last glimpse of my