CHAPTER 4 - Believe Me!

Scarlet’s POV

“You know, I’ve been thinking about it. Although we are step-sisters, don’t you think we look so much alike? Well, except for your red hair, and mine is a silver one.” Sarah pulled me to her side to face the full length mirror designed by the shop for mirror selfies. She held my shoulder as she compared us, standing side by side. She was taller, and her skin had tanned a little while mine was paler which was also the same as hers. But our eyes were the same color of amber, and nose, lips, and facial structure, I could see the resemblance, only the hair that distinguished us, which was from our different fathers.

The mere fact that we do look alike, felt like a slap across my face as the realization hit me that it was probably the reason why Caspian had pursued me. I was a reminder of Sarah who left without a word.

“We do look alike, little step-sis, Caspian would agree,” she said, her tone insinuating something. I heard it beneath that sweet angelic face, it sounded like she already learned what I was to Caspian yet she had decided to play ignorant about it while she waltzed in, back to his life— claiming what was originally hers.

My stomach churned as I processed the insult wrapped in her sweet tone with each syllable dripping with condescension. As if our resemblance somehow validated her superiority over me, as if I was only a temporary replacement, a substitute, that was discarded now that the original copy had returned.

I took a step back instinctively, getting out of her feigned soft grip on my shoulder, putting a space between us as the humiliation and insult twisted in my chest like a blade.

But my movement was too sudden and quick, and forceful.

Sarah wobbled, her hand shooting out to steady herself, but it was too late. She stumbled, her sprained ankle buckling beneath her weight.

Her sharp intake of breath was followed by a soft cry as she fell down to the floor, the thud seemed to have echoed in the shop.

“Sarah, I did not —”

But before I could finish, the bell above the shop door jingled again. I turned and froze as Caspian strode in, his expression instantly hardening when he saw Sarah on the floor. ‘But why is Caspian here?’

My eyes widened in surprise to see him, why was he here? Well, I could only hope that he did not spend the night with Sarah since he did not come home last night, but seeing him with Sarah as if he had driven for her and waited outside. My intuition must be right.

“Sarah!” he exclaimed sharply as he rushed to her aid, taking her arm to steady her and help her stand before his eyes locked onto me, clearly evident with cruel accusation.

“What the hell, Scarlet?” he snapped, his grip tightening protectively around Sarah’s arm. “What is wrong with you!? Why did you push her?”

My mouth opened, but the words tangled in my throat, unable to break free.

“No, I did not pu—”

He was not listening. “Don’t lie to me!” he snarled, his voice was like a growl, and I flinched, unable to reconcile this side of him with the man I thought I knew.

“I didn’t push her!” I insisted, my voice breaking with frustration. “She lost her balance. It was an accident—”

Caspian cut me off, his voice was cold and full of unyielding accusation. “I saw it, Scarlet. You moved too quickly, pushing her off of you, and now she’s hurt. Why would you even do something like this?”

“I did not mean for her to fall!” I snapped, desperation edging my voice. “Why would I push my own step-sister for no reason?”

“Caspian, please,” Sarah interrupted weakly, her voice trembling as she leaned heavily on him. “It’s okay. Don’t be mad. I’m fine… But Scarlet, maybe next time, just be a little more careful.”

Her words were gentle, almost innocent, but they burned with the implication that I had caused this. I stared at her, unable to believe the act she was putting on.

Caspian’s grip on her arm tightened protectively as he turned back to me, his fury bubbling over. “Careful? You knew she was injured, Scarlet! What were you thinking? Were you jealous because she is back, and she is getting all the attention you think you deserve?”

“What?” I gasped, shaking my head in disbelief. “That is not true! I am not jealous—”

But before I could finish, the sound of his palm connecting with my cheek silenced me. My head snapped to the side as the sting radiated across my skin, and my breath hitched in my throat.

“Caspian!” Sarah exclaimed, grabbing his arm as though she were horrified. “You shouldn’t have done that! What will George think? He will be furious if he finds out you hit her.”

Caspian’s nostrils flared as he exhaled sharply, his hand clenching into a fist at his side. “George will understand,” he said firmly. “Scarlet is his little sister, and sometimes, lessons need to be taught. If George were here, he would do the same thing to knock some sense into her.”

My chest constricted at his words, humiliation crashing over me in waves. Was that all I was to him— a little sister who needed to be disciplined? I AM HIS GIRLFRIEND! And yet he seemed to believe his own lies already, the lies that we tell to people about what we were.

I raised a hand to my cheek, the heat of the slap still lingering, and forced myself to speak, though my voice was shaking.

“I did not push her,” I said quietly, refusing to let the tears brimming in my eyes fall. “She lost her balance. Why would I hurt her?”

Caspian sneered, disbelief painted across his face. “You expect me to believe that? I’ve seen the way you have been acting since Sarah came back. You need to learn to control yourself, Scarlet, and apologize to her.”

“I am not apologizing for something I did not do,” I said firmly, my voice stronger now, though my heart was breaking. “I would never hurt her. Why can’t you see that?”

But he would never listen, he would never believe me. It was all Sarah that matters to him now.

“You need to think about your actions,” he snapped, dismissively. “You’ve already caused enough trouble. We’re leaving.”

Caspian turned, his arm steadying Sarah as she leaned against him, her lips curving into a small, triumphant smile before they walked out. The bell above the door jingled as they left, and I stood there, frozen, my hands trembling so I clenched them tightly.

My vision blurred as I stepped outside, fighting the tears threatening to spill. The sting on my cheek burned as a reminder of how little I mattered to him.

To Caspian, I wasn’t his partner, his equal, or even someone he cared about. Now that Sarah was back, I was just George’s little sister— a problem he needed to fix now.

CHAPTER 5 - A Goodbye and The Arrival

Scarlet’s POV

For years, I had believed that Caspian’s love for me was real, that I wasn’t just a stand-in for someone— worse, it was even my step-sister. And now she was back, I had to disappear, like a discarded toy he no longer needed.

I straightened, pushing myself away from the counter where the caramel cake settled untouched. I’ve already made my decision…

This wasn’t love. This wasn’t the life I wanted. And if Caspian couldn’t see my worth, then it was time for me to leave. I wouldn’t stay here being a martyr for a love that was never mine.

~

The morning light filtered through the curtains, as I began packing my belongings. The apartment felt colder than usual, its once-cozy corners were now shadowed by memories I wanted to forget. This place that I had considered my home now turned to be a place I wanted to escape from.

I folded my clothes like a mechanical robot that was set to do what I had programmed, blocking the emotions and thoughts that were threatening to spill, preventing myself from going back from decisions, and shattering my resolve. My favorite sweater, tees, and boots, even the small trinkets I had collected over the years— all of them went into the suitcase without hesitation. I was set on leaving this place polished, without leaving any trace, like I never existed.

The walls seemed to watch as I moved through the apartment, clearing shelves and emptying drawers, taking my personals, and I left behind anything that belonged to Caspian, refusing to carry even a sliver of his presence with me.

When the packing was done, I cleaned. The floors, the counters, the bathroom— every inch of the space, every corner of the apartment. I scrubbed away the traces of myself, returning the apartment to the state it had been in before I moved in. It was strangely cathartic, like erasing a chapter of my life.

By the time night fell, the apartment was spotless. My suitcase stood by the door, packed and ready, while my heart felt heavy and uncertain. I wanted to be sure of my decision, to leave without regret, my heart still screaming for a chance, but my mind was already set on moving on.

I sank onto the couch, my phone clutched tightly in my hand. Maybe I owed it to myself to try one last time. To see if there was anything left to salvage.

My fingers hovered over Caspian’s contact before I pressed the call button.

It rang once. Twice. Three times. No answer.

I tried again. And again.

Finally, the call connected, only to end abruptly. He had declined it.

The truth settled over me like a shroud, heavy, yet clear of the message. He was not busy. He was not asleep. He was refusing to talk to me. He had chosen, decided not to talk to me.

I stared at the phone, the final thread of hope snapping under the weight of his rejection. That was it. The last sign I needed, and the push I needed to move forward without him in my life.

It’s time to go.

~

It was still dark outside when I wheeled my suitcase out of the apartment. The cool morning air nipped at my skin as I locked the door behind me, the click echoing in the silence.

The cab I booked arrived promptly with its headlights cutting through the pre-dawn gloom. The driver greeted me with a polite smile as he loaded my luggage into the trunk.

“Heading to the airport?” he asked.

“Yes,” I replied, steadying myself despite the storm raging inside me. I was getting an urge to look back at the apartment building for the last time but I chose not to. There was no point looking back now that I was choosing to move forward.

I entered the cab and shut the door as the driver drove through the quiet road, the city still asleep as we passed through its empty streets. I leaned my head against the window, watching the familiar landmarks fade into the distance. With every mile, I felt a mix of relief and sadness, leaving the place I had called home.

When we arrived at the airport, the driver helped me load my luggage to a cart and I paid him additional tips to thank him. As I pushed inside, travelers moved briskly through the space, searching, transacting, and some crying while leaving their loved ones.

I took my passport out and headed to check in with my hands trembling slightly as I handed over my documents, realizing how big this decision I was making. The attendant smiled at me as she checked my details in the system.

“Enjoy your flight,” she said, handing back my passport and my boarding pass.

I nodded, returning a polite smile, as I clutched my documents tightly as I moved toward security. The line was short, and soon I found myself standing barefoot as my belongings went through the scanner.

When I reached the gate, the announcement for boarding echoed through the terminal.

I stepped onto the plane with a deep breath, my heart hammering in my chest as I found my seat by the window.

Finally.

The engines roared to life, and the plane began its ascent. I watched the city shrink below me, its lights twinkling like distant stars, and I felt my chest contract, sending a wave of discomfort as I fought myself from crying.

As the clouds swallowed the city from view, I realized I wasn’t just leaving behind a place— I was leaving behind a version of myself. The one who stayed. The one who endured. The one who loved without reservations.

For the first time, I felt free.

And now, there was no turning back.