Chapter 3
Claire's expression stiffened, her face full of hurt and disbelief as she looked at them, feeling wronged.
"Mom, Dad, I'm the one who fell down the stairs," Claire said.
Only then did my parents turn to her, a barely visible frown and a soft sigh escaping them.
"Claire, Evelyn is our biological daughter. We trust she wouldn't do something like that. Could it be you misunderstood?" Mom said.
Claire's eyes widened in shock as Charles rushed over to help her up.
Charles protested. "Dad, Mom, Claire's the one who got hurt. How can you say that about her?
"Claire's been raised by you since she was little. She's always been sweet and sensible. But Evelyn grew up in the sticks. She's rotten from the start. There's no need to send her away. Just call the cops and deal with her."
His gaze toward me was filled with disgust and even hatred.
I arched an eyebrow, genuinely surprised.
His attitude toward me hadn't softened at all. In fact, it was even nastier than before. That could only mean his feelings for Claire were more complicated than simple sibling affection.
Now that was interesting.
As soon as Charles finished, Mom jumped in, her tone sharper than usual, even a bit scolding.
"No way! Charlie, what are you talking about? Family fights don't need cops. What would people say if they heard about this?" Mom said.
Dad's face darkened too.
"Your mom's got a point. Evelyn's your real sister. How could you talk about her like that?" Dad said.
Charles's face turned even uglier, and he shot daggers at me with his glare.
"I don't have some scheming sister who comes back and immediately throws the whole house into chaos! Claire's the only sister I've got," he spat.
Dad's brows knitted together.
Before he could say anything, I pointed to the security camera in the corner.
"There's a security camera over there. Let's just check the footage and see what really happened," I said.
Claire's face turned pale as a sheet. She grabbed Charles's sleeve, blurting out in panic.
"Wasn't that camera broken? How is it working now?"
"This spot's pretty out of the way. I was worried something might happen and no one would believe me, so I got it fixed just a couple of days ago," I replied.
Claire clutched her chest again, and I looked at her with a faint, mocking smile.
"About to faint again, Claire? Funny how it always happens right when you need it," I said.
Mom and Dad eyed her with suspicion, and Claire stiffened, caught between pretending to pass out and not. She looked absolutely miserable.
I quickly pulled up the security footage and handed it to Mom and Dad.
After watching the video, Mom and Dad shot Claire a frosty glare.
"We've raised you for so many years and never treated you unfairly. Why would you do something like this?" they demanded.
Claire's lips quivered as tears streamed down her cheeks and her whole body trembled.
Charles looked bewildered and was about to speak further. But Dad shoved the footage into his hands before he could get a word out.
"Look closely. This is the 'good girl' you keep sticking up for!" Dad said sharply.
"Evelyn was ready to move out just for her, and Claire still tried to set her up. Well, if that's how it is, Evelyn stays, and Claire moves out!" Dad's voice was icy and final.