Head buried in his chest, Sophie wept uncontrollably, words fragmented but clear. "Emily... Emily said... called me shameless... a lunatic... clinging to you..." She lifted tear-streaked eyes to me, gaze wounded and accusatory. "Emily, I know you hate me... but I can't help it..." Mark whipped toward me, stunned and questioning.
Standoff
I stood frozen. When had I uttered such lies? Anger surged. "I never said that! Sophie, you're lying!" Voice quavering. Sophie recoiled as if struck, burrowing deeper into Mark's embrace, wailing. "Brother! Hear her! She loathes me!"
His Choice
Mark's face darkened. Holding the shuddering Sophie, his stare pierced me—alien, blaming. "Emily, was this necessary?" Tone icy. "Sophie's fragile! Provoke her over last night? Take it out on her?" He sided with her, swallowing her flimsy tale.
NEXT >>