Page 70 of Reckless Desires

My body goes rigid. “Yeah, right,” I snap as I get to my feet, the words spilling out like venom. “You’re here for me, but only from a distance. I’ve been home for a week, and neither of you came to visit. You think after what happened I’m only worth speaking to over the phone or through text?”

They both quickly get to their feet.

“Lily, please,” Selene says with her brow furrowed with worry. “We are trying to support you. It’s just complicated with Mom.”

“Complicated?” I let out a hollow laugh. “You mean you’re too proud to come visit me because you are at odds with Mom. Both of you are so stubborn. You don’t think Serafina and I feel that?”

Stasia’s eyes widen, stung by the accusation. “We are not abandoning you! This is about us trying to⁠—”

“Trying to what?” I cut her off with a rising voice. “Protect yourselves? Acting like Mom is a fucking monster. Yes, she’s overwhelming and sometimes obnoxious, but I’m your sister, not some side issue to be put on hold because of your issues with the woman who birthed and raised us.”

“That’s not fair.” Stasia shakes her head, getting upset. “I raised you all. Name one time I haven’t been there for any of you.”

“Who cares!” I shoot back. “So you were a better mother figure than she was. So what! I was fucking taken. I was sold off, and by some miracle it wasn’t to some monster.” I step closer to them, clenching my dress to avoid waving my arms around. “I was put in a cage. Like a wild animal. The girl next to me was no older than Serafina, and she’s been trapped in that life since she was twelve.” My eyes begin to blur. “Twelve!” I aggressively wipe away my tears, making a mess of my makeup. “So no, I don’t think whatever stupid reason you cut her off can justify not coming to see me in person!”

Now it’s Stasia and Selene in tears. They hadn’t known the details, just that I was being auctioned. They didn’t know what I saw, heard, and witnessed, or even the skimpy lingerie I was forced to wear.

“Lily.” Selene covers her mouth. “I’m so, so sorry,” her voice trembling as she leans forward, reaching her hand out to me, but stops when I step back in protest. “We’re dealing with our own pain too. We don’t want to bring more chaos into your life or Serafina’s. You have to believe us.”

“You think shutting me out is helping?”

“We thought giving you space would help. You don’t really open up with us like you used to since Dad died.”

“Did I ever really?” I spit out, tears still spilling down my cheeks as the weight of my anger morphs into something more profound—hurt. “It just proves neither of you really know me. I never wanted to be alone. After Dad passed, I feel like I’ve been a burden because you both already painted me as someone I’m not.” I turn away from them for a brief moment before facing my two sisters again, who look hurt beyond words. “You were Dad’s favorite, Stasia. And don’t deny it.” I point my finger at her. “We all knew you could do no wrong in his eyes.” I sniffle. “And Selene is always Miss Perfect. You were always considered the essence of how a lady should be. But what about me?” I put my hand on my chest. “I’m labeled the spoiled brat, but I only asked for things just to get a bit of attention. Just to argue with Dad about why I should have something. And Mom, she adores me because I look just like her. I remind her of her younger self. That’s why I get the most attention from her.”

I’ve never seen Stasia cry, and here she is wiping away tears. “I’m sorry, Lily. I didn’t know you felt this way, but I promise it’s not all what it seems.”

“There are girls in cages that will never get to wear pretty dresses like ours or get married and have a family. Some have been there long enough they don’t even remember their family. Just think about that.” I look between both of them, who are now looking at one another. “And all I’m asking is to know what happened to cause such a rift between you and Mom? Why can’t we be how it used to be? Do you even remember we would have bake nights? She let us bake whatever we wanted while she drank wine, and we just laughed about anything and everything? Dad’s death mentally messed her up, but there was a time when we all got along, even you, Stasia. You fought with her the most, but even then you both loved each other.”

Both my sisters remain silent, with tears streaming down their faces. But my words don’t seem resonate; they just look at me with pity.

“If you aren’t going to make up with her, or at least be civil enough to speak to her, then don’t bother reaching out to me again.” I turn and begin walking away.

“You wouldn’t forgive her if you knew what she did,” Stasia says, commanding my attention. “I never said I don’t love her. But sometimes love isn’t enough to forgive.” I continue to walk.

“Wait.” Selene trails behind me. “Stasia, we need to tell her. Do you want her to learn the hard way?”

“Lily, stop. Please.” Stasia’s voice is on me like a leech. “If you want to know, we’ll tell you. But once you have that information, there’s no going back.”

I stop in my tracks. I should keep walking; what if they finally tell me what the issue is? If I know, maybe I can fix it.

Turning around, I cross my arms over my chest. “I’m listening.”

There seems to be some kind of regret in Stasia’s eyes, as though she wishes I didn’t choose this option. She opens her mouth then closes it. She looks to Selene, who is still silently crying, her makeup running down her face.

“Just spit it out,” I snap anxiously.

Selene turns away as if to catch her breath and then turns back around. Stasia, with dried tears and mascara down her face, takes a deep breath. “Mom was involved with Dad’s murder.”

I scoff. “What are you talking about? Involved how? She was obsessed with him. Why would she kill him?”

“There’s no proof, but Dad’s journals said some pretty convincing things.”

“Dad’s journals? You’re basing it off things out of a dead man’s journal? He can’t even verify if they are true!”

Stasia seems stunned, like she never thought of it this way, and for a brief moment, I can see she may be doubting herself.

“Selene?” I turn to her. “What happened between you and Mom? Or has Stasia brainwashed you as usual?”