Chapter 7 - THE SISTER WAR
Simone and Deline had been competing since childhood.
Not because they naturally hated each other.
Because Carmen encouraged comparison.
After their father died, Carmen became more influential.
She praised Simone for responsibility.
Deline for beauty.
Then punished each with the other.
“Simone would never forget this.”
“Deline knows how to charm people.”
“Why can’t you dress like your sister?”
“Why can’t you work like your sister?”
By adulthood, every success had an audience of one.
Each other.
Then Julian entered Simone’s life.
She hid his identity partly from Deline.
That was true.
Not because she feared Deline stealing him.
Because she knew the family would transform the relationship into competition.
She told Deline only:
“I’m seeing someone.”
Deline heard superiority.
Then Lydia began suggesting:
“Maybe Simone is embarrassed because he isn’t serious.”
Later:
“Maybe the man everyone thinks is hers isn’t.”
Then the fake Julian messages started.
Deline’s oldest wound opened.
For once:
she would be chosen over Simone.
That was why she ignored impossibilities.
At the ballroom, when Simone stood in a torn dress, Deline was not only humiliating a sister.
She was celebrating a lifetime score.
Then in mediation, Deline said:
“I wanted you to look small.”
Simone nodded.
“You did.”
Deline began crying.
Simone continued:
“You don’t get to call it all manipulation.”
“I know.”
“You picked up the scissors.”
“I know.”
“You slapped me.”
“I know.”
That was the beginning of accountability.
Not forgiveness.
Then Deline asked:
“Did you ever think I’d try to take Julian?”
Simone answered honestly.
“Yes.”
Deline laughed through tears.
“Why?”
“Because we were trained to think everything one of us had could become proof against the other.”
May you like
Silence.
For the first time, both sisters blamed the system without using it to erase their choices.
