Epiphany

Chapter 51 : She is back !!!

Olivia's P.O.V.

The house is quiet as Jack pushes my wheelchair inside. The familiar scent of home wraps around me, but something feels off. I can't quite put my finger on it until I hear a voice-one that instantly sets my teeth on edge.

Her voice.

It's her.

I pause, my fingers tightening on the armrests of the chair as my eyes flicker toward the dining room. I don't even have to see her fully to know who it is. That voice. The one that always manages to sound so sweet and innocent, the one that never fails to make me feel small and insignificant.

Meloni Hernandez.

Sitting at the dining table, her perfect posture and exaggerated gestures screaming for attention. Her dark hair cascades over her shoulders like she just stepped out of a salon, and she's grinning as she talks, her eyes sparkling with feigned excitement. The sight of her makes my blood boil.

My fists clench tightly in my lap, my nails digging into my palms as I glare at her. She doesn't notice me yet, too busy basking in the attention she's getting from everyone. My jaw tightens, teeth gritting so hard I wouldn't be surprised if they cracked.

This overly good cousin of mine. Everyone seems to adore her, but to me, she's nothing more than a thorn in my side. She's always been good at pretending to be sweet, at playing the perfect girl, but I see through her. I always have.

I know her because Luna follows her private account on Instagram and she sends me everything this bitch is posting there. From close friend stories to her posts. Everything. So, I know her fully.

Jack continues to push me forward, but I can't tear my eyes away from the scene.

"Olivia," Jack's voice pulls me out of my thoughts as he pushes my wheelchair closer to the dining room. I barely register his words. My glare remains fixed on Meloni.

I'm filled with this strange, almost suffocating sense of anger.

Why is she here ?

What she needs now ?

As we reach the dining room, all eyes shift toward us, and I feel the weight of everyone's gaze. I swear, their eyes soften.

Hazel's face lights up, when she sees me, and I hear her voice, warm and welcoming. "We all were actually waiting for you only," she says, her eyes shine with something like relief, but I barely register it.

I force a small smile, nodding politely, though my mind is still racing with thoughts of Meloni. My eyes move to William, and I can't stop myself from asking, in the coldest voice I can muster,

"What is she doing here ?"

The words leave my mouth like ice, the familiar chill creeping back into my tone. It's the same tone I used to have before everything fell apart, before I was suddenly here, stuck in this chair, fighting my own thoughts and feelings.

A slight frown etches on almost everyone's face.

I can feel Meloni's gaze on me, even without looking directly at her. Her eyes burn with something-disdain ? Annoyance ? I don't care. I don't care.

William sighs, his shoulders slumping a little. "Her parents are out of town, and they didn't want her to be alone."

I scoff, the sound bitter and almost mocking. "And I thought we were on a family trip."

Before anyone can respond, Meloni opens her mouth, eager to stir things up. "I'm also family, Olivia, if you're forgetting."

My lips curl into a thin, unimpressed line, and I don't even spare her a glance.