What the hell was she talking about? "All you ever talked about was becoming a doctor so you could help women like our mother."
"No, I hated Mom for dying. It was you and Dad who idolized her."
I couldn't believe the stuff that was flying out of her mouth. "It's just the drugs talking. You don't really mean that."
Again with that laugh. I’d never heard it before, and it was kind of scaring me a bit. "Newsflash, the drugs have been out ofmy system for weeks. This is all me. I'm just tired of hiding who I really am."
"Then why don't you enlighten me and tell me who you really are, since it's clear I don't know you as well as I thought." Or at all for that matter. I crossed my arms over my chest in absolute disgust.
"I don't want to keep being sent back to rehab. I love Joel and I will do anything to make him happy."
The beating I endured felt less painful than the words my sister just uttered. "Excuse me?" There was no way I could've heard her correctly.
"Don't act so dense. You heard exactly what I said."
She was right. I did hear her loud and clear. Slapping my hands on my lap, I stood up and looked down my nose at her.
"Yes, I did, and for the first time in my life, I'm going to do what's best for me and not you."
"Oh please." Hannah rolled her swollen eyes. "Don't try to act like you're the martyr here."
Okay, enough was enough. "You do realize the man you claim to love is the one who sent someone to beat the shit out of you, right?"
Hannah sneered, "He would never."
Clearly my sister was delusional. That or the drugs had finally rotted her brain. Either way, I was done with this conversation.
"Have a nice life, Hannah. I truly hope it all goes well for you."
"Wait!" Hannah hollered at my back as I walked to the door. "You didn't tell me the answer to Joel's question."
I stopped in the doorway but kept my back to her. "You're right I didn't, and I never will." With that parting shot, I stepped out of the room and into the hallway. I didn't make it far before I fell to my knees and sobbed.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Nolen
I watched Vanessa crumble to the hospital floor in front of me. I had a feeling this was going to happen as soon as we were out of her sister's sight.
It had taken everything in me to keep my mouth shut as her sister had ripped Vanessa's world apart. But it needed to happen. Vanessa needed to see her sister in her truest form.
Kneeling down next to her, I pulled her into my arms. Her tears were killing me. I wanted to erase them and the person who put them there. Unfortunately I doubted Vanessa would be okay with me hurting her sister, despite everything she said.
"I've got you," I whispered in her ear as her body shook with her sobs.
"How did I not see it before?" She hiccuped through the question.
"We tend to be blinded by those we love."
"It was right there the whole time, and I never saw it. She hates me. She never wanted my help."
"No." I shook my head. "She hates herself, and it's just easier to take it out on you."
I continued to hold her as she cried. I didn't care how long we stayed there. I would hold her forever no matter what others thought.
It took several minutes, but Vanessa finally sniffled and wiped at her face. "I'm sorry about that."
"Don't apologize. You were fully within your right to be upset."
