2
622words
Luna Lawson sat beside me, head propped on her hand, dozing.
She and Lydia were identical twins, blessed with strikingly similar, stunning looks.
Cool, elegant, captivating.
Once, I'd been drawn to that facade, my heart skipping a beat.
But now, gazing at her, I felt nothing but emptiness.
Her eyes fluttered open, meeting my gaze.
Surprise flickered briefly, then vanished, replaced by familiar disdain.
She sat up straight, crossing her arms, her posture cold.
"Vincent Foster, you truly are an idiot."
"Lying out in the rain for a day and night."
"Gave yourself pneumonia, a raging fever, and cracked your skull open."
"Do you think that makes us feel sorry for you?"
I turned my head away, my voice rough and dry.
"It won’t happen again."
She snorted dismissively, reaching out to forcibly turn my head back towards her.
"Vincent, I'm warning you."
Listen carefully. If you know your place and stop playing these little games, we might still show some mercy. We can keep supporting you financially."
“But if you overstep… don’t blame us for what happens next.”
I almost laughed.
They lived in my house.
They spent my money.
And yet they had the gall to talk about keeping me?
My own stupidity was to blame.
Three years an idiot.
I'd lost my position as head of the Foster conglomerate.
I'd signed my wealth away.
I wouldn't engage with Luna anymore.
Silence was my response.
She should have been pleased with my apparent obedience.
But instead, she studied me intently, a flicker of unease in her eyes.
She sensed a change.
She opened her mouth, perhaps to deliver another cutting remark.
But then Miles arrived, Lydia trailing behind him.
Luna instantly stood up, her voice laced with concern.
Why did you come? Hospitals are depressing.
How ironic.
Babies were born in hospitals every day.
Yet Luna could call it 'depressing'.
She twisted everything for Miles's sake, justifying anything.
Miles held up a thermos.
"I was worried you'd be worn out looking after Vincent, Luna."
"I made you some chicken soup."
A faint, appreciative smile touched Luna's lips, as if Miles had performed some grand gesture.
She immediately turned her reproach back to me.
"Vincent, even an idiot should learn to be considerate."
"If you were half the man Miles is..."
"Things wouldn't have come to this!"
My lips parted.
Didn't I used to be good to her?
What did all those years of effort, all I'd sacrificed for her and Lydia, count for?
They said their debt was paid.
Did they truly believe that?
Suddenly, Miles walked over to my bedside.
He took my hand, his face a mask of contrition.
"Vincent, I'm so sorry."
"I had no idea you were this sick."
"Leaving you out in the rain like that..."
"Hit me, yell at me, I deserve it."
He made his eyes shimmer, threatening tears.
Lydia couldn't bear his distress.
She grabbed my hand and yanked it roughly out of Miles's grasp.
The IV needle ripped from my vein.
Blood sprayed.
I gasped in pain, clutching my hand, reaching frantically for the nurse call button.
Lydia blocked me.
"Vincent Foster, enough!"
"Is this Miles's fault? Why make him apologize?"
A thin layer of anger coated my voice.
"Did I ask him to apologize?!"
Lydia's hand shot up, poised to strike.
"You idiot! You dare talk back now?!"
My body flinched instinctively, recoiling.
I knew Lydia wouldn't actually hit me.
But during those three lost years, she'd used that threatening gesture countless times to intimidate me.
Worse, she'd deliberately used my fear, my flinches, to amuse Miles.
The memory stung, a deep humiliation.
Anger burned behind my eyes.
