“We’re study partners.”
“You tried to steal him from me.”
Madison was standing now.
“And last week—last week—you pushed me on the stairs. Look.”
She pulled up her sleeve. A bruise on her forearm. Dark purple. I stared.
“I never touched you.”
“You did.”
“Mom, she did. I didn’t want to say anything because I thought… I thought maybe she was just stressed.”
Mom stood up and moved between us.
“Olivia, this is serious. If you hurt your sister—”
“I didn’t.”
“Then how did she get that bruise?” Dad demanded.
“I don’t know. Maybe she did it herself.”
The words hung in the air. Madison’s eyes went wide. Fresh tears.
“You think I’d hurt myself just to… to frame you?”
“Yes!”
I was shouting now, desperate.
“Yes, because you do this. You lie. You’ve been lying about me for years.”
Dad took a step toward me.
“Is this true, Olivia? You’ve been bullying your sister, making her life miserable?”
“No. God, no. Please, just listen.”
“I’ve heard enough.”
“Enough.”
Dad’s fist slammed on the mantel.
“I’ve heard enough of your excuses.”
“They’re not excuses. Please, just let me explain.”
“There’s nothing to explain.”
Mom’s voice was quiet, disappointed.
“I thought we raised you better than this.”
Madison sobbed into her hands. The perfect picture of a victim. I looked at her, really looked at her. And for a moment, she looked back. She wasn’t crying anymore. Her eyes were dry, calculating.
“You’re lying,” I said, barely above a whisper.
“I’m not,” she said, and her voice didn’t shake. “You are.”
“Mom, started—”
“She’s lying.”
I turned to Dad.
“Please, you have to believe me. I would never hurt her. I would never spread rumors. She’s doing this because she’s jealous. Because Jake doesn’t like her.”
“Because that’s it.”
Dad’s voice went cold. Flat.
“I don’t want to hear another word from you. You’re sick. Something’s wrong with you.”
The word hit like a slap. Sick.
“I’m not.”
“You need help. Professional help. But right now—”
He pointed to the door.
“Right now, I need you out of my sight.”
The rain was pounding outside. Thunder shook the windows.
“Dad, it’s storming.”
“I don’t care.”
