Disowned

Amelia walked aimlessly into the house. Her steps were heavy, not because her footwear was wet and covered in mud, but because her emotions were in turmoil.

In the living room, her sister and parents were engaged in a heated argument, continuing what had been postponed due to Nicholas's presence. Olivia still looked tearful, her hand holding her bruised cheek. Perhaps, their father had delivered a harsh slap there moments ago.

"Leave this house!" the deep-voiced man commanded.

"Dear, please! Have mercy on Olive!" their mother pleaded in vain, as everyone in the house knew their father's temperament. He was hot-tempered and never tolerated any embarrassing behavior from his family.

"I don't have a stupid daughter like her! She accepted the arranged marriage with the Zhao family. She said she love him. But what did she do? Got pregnant without knowing who the father of her child is? How ridiculous!" the father shouted, rejecting his wife's defense of Olivia. "Don't touch my money anymore! If you don't want to obey me, get out of this house! No bread for an ungrateful daughter like you!"

Olivia and Nicholas were indeed arranged to be married because both families wanted to unite their businesses. Fortunately, they both loved each other. It should have been a perfectly arranged marriage. However, fate had a different plan. Their arrangement fell apart when Olivia became pregnant after a one-night stand with another man.

Olivia felt heartbroken. But she knew she had made a fatal mistake. Rather than being kicked out of the house, she felt more guilty about what happened to Nicholas. Why did he have to find out about her pregnancy when he came to propose? It was truly embarrassing and painful for him.

"Fine, I'll leave!" Olivia said then.

Amelia, the youngest one, knew that she had no right to meddle in family affairs. Defying her father would only bring punishment upon herself. Who would want that?

She then went to find Olivia, who was packing in her room. She tiptoed to avoid stepping on the broken glass caused by her father's anger. She would ask the maid to clean the floor later.

Amelia mustered the strength to address her sister, her voice quivering with a mix of concern and confusion. "Olive?" she spoke, attempting to convey more than just her sister's name. However, the words got caught in her throat, leaving her feeling parched and unable to articulate her thoughts.

Olivia, visibly shaken and on the verge of tears, looked at Amelia with a plea in her eyes. She yearned for understanding and support, fearing the possibility of being blamed for her situation. "Are you going to blame me too?" she asked, her voice trembling. "I hope not, because if you do, I'll be very sad."

Amelia, realizing the significance of her role as Olivia's sister, felt a surge of love and empathy. They had always been close, and Olivia held hope that at least one person would continue to stand by her side, even in the face of adversity. Overwhelmed by emotion, Amelia wiped away her tears and remembered the bloodstain on Olivia's feet.

"You're bleeding!" Amelia exclaimed, her concern shifting into action. "Sit down, I'll treat you."

Olivia complied, grateful for her sister's care. Amelia's simple yet caring words touched her heart, reaffirming their bond. "Thank you, my sweet baby sister!" Amelia whispered, her voice filled with heartfelt emotion. "This means a lot to me." At that moment, Olivia found solace in the love and support she had yearned for from her only sister.

Amelia shook her head, swallowing her saliva. She opened the first aid kit box and turned to approach her sister sitting on the edge of the bed.

Amelia looked down, seeing her sister's bleeding feet. Tears streamed down her face, not knowing what to do. She couldn't bear to see how much pain Olivia was in right now. It must be much more painful than the injury on her foot.

Amelia gazed at her sister with sorrowful eyes, a mix of worry and sadness evident in her expression. "You'll be okay, right?" she asked softly, voicing her concern. "Even if Dad kicks you out?"

Olivia, despite the pain weighing heavily on her heart, mustered a small smile and leaned down to pat Amelia's head gently. "Don't worry, I'm not a little crybaby like you," she whispered, her voice filled with a mixture of determination and tenderness. She wanted to reassure her younger sister, masking her own fears and vulnerabilities.

Her eyes gazed at her younger sister with a bewildered look. It was an incredibly painful gaze.

"It may seem cruel and painful, but I believe this is for the best," Olivia repeated, her voice filled with a bittersweet conviction. She looked down at Amelia, who had just finished applying the bandage on her sister's foot. A mixture of sadness and hope flickered in her eyes. "I hope you'll be happy, Amy."

Amelia's gaze met Olivia's, her heart heavy with the realization that her sister was about to embark on a new and uncertain journey. She whispered softly, her voice filled with longing, "Don't forget to keep in touch with me. Wherever you are."

With their goodbyes said and their emotions hanging in the air, Olivia packed her belongings into a suitcase. As she dragged it along, each step carrying her further away from the familiar, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness for leaving behind the life she once knew.

Their mother, unable to contain her emotions, could only weep silently as she watched her eldest daughter's departure. Amelia, holding back her own tears, embraced Olivia tightly, offering a wordless show of support and love. In that heartfelt hug, Amelia wished she could hold onto her sister forever.