Romance With His Step Sisters

Paula's POV

I stood at the front door, clutching my dad's old sweater. It still smelled like him, like home. Everywhere seemed so bright, but all I felt was gloom and dark. Today was the day we buried him and the worst part was, mother wasn't even there.

"Paula, are you ready?" my mom's voice drifted from behind me.

I turned to see her standing at the entrance, so she did manage to come afterwards. Also, she was looking so different; her hair was perfect, her clothes expensive. "I can't believe you came," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Why wouldn't I"

"Because you left us when we needed you the most? You never cared or liked my father?"

"I had to do what was best for me," she said, crossing her arms. "You know how hard life can be."

"Hard? You abandoned me and Dad! You chose a new life over us," I shot back, anger bubbling inside me. I missed my dad so much. Why did he have to leave? Why couldn't it be this selfish and senseless woman!

She flinched, but then her expression hardened. "Look, I made mistakes. But I'm back now. Can we at least try to make this work?"

I shook my head. "No. I don't want anything to do with you. Not now, not ever."

Just then, a loud honk echoed outside. Mom sighed and looked at me with that annoyed expression she always had. "We have to go. Get in the car."

"I'm not going anywhere with you," I replied defiantly.

Mom stepped forward, frustration written on her face. "You think this is easy for me? This isn't just about you, Paula!"

"I don't care! Just leave me alone." My voice cracked as I thought about my dad lying in that cold, dark ground.

And then her guards stepped in. I didn't even notice them at first, but one of them grabbed my arm gently but firmly. "Miss Paula, your mother asked you to come with her."

"No!" I screamed, pulling away. "Let me go!"

But they were too strong. They bundled me toward the vehicle, and my protests turned into desperate cries. "You can't do this! I don't want to go!"

"Stop this nonsense, Paula! I'm doing this for your own good!" Mom shouted, her voice rising over my protests.

Finally, they pushed me into the backseat of the shiny black car. I sat there in fury and was as confused as hell, as Mom slid in beside me. I glared at her, pressing down the urge to go off on her. "You think you can just waltz back into my life after all these years?"

She looked out the window, silent for a moment. "I know I messed up, but you need to understand, I had no choice."

"Really? You had no choice but to leave us?" I snapped.

The car drove off, and the city blurred past. I stared out, feeling trapped and miserable. "What about Dad? You didn't care about him, did you?"

Her face twisted in a mix of anger and sadness. "It wasn't like that. He was sick, and I couldn't watch him suffer."

I couldn't believe her. "You could have stayed! You could have helped us through it!"

"Do you even hear yourself? I was drowning, Paula!" She turned to face me, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I didn't want to go, but I had to survive."

"By leaving me and Dad behind?" I shot back, crossing my arms tightly.

"I thought about you every single day!" she insisted, exasperation coloring her voice.

"Yeah, sure." I rolled my eyes.

As we drove, I couldn't shake the feeling of resentment. How could she act like this was okay? I wanted to scream, but I kept quiet.

Eventually, we arrived at a grand house, bordered with expensive cars and tall gates. It looked like something out of a movie. I couldn't help but feel a pang of disgust. This was what Mom chose instead of us.

"Welcome to my new home," she said softly, almost proud.

"Your home?" I echoed, bitterness creeping into my voice. "This is the life you chose while Dad was dying?"