My Faked Death, His Endless Torment

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most ethereal grace, her presence immediately commanding the attention of my parents. She saw me, of course, sprawled on the bed, my bod

this? Let's be sisters again. I know what will make you feel better." She took a step closer, holding up a small, intricately woven basket.

oughtful, darling," Clarissa cooed. "Ela, isn't tha

nitting needles protruding from it. A cold dread seeped into my bones. Kn

ger for her affection, had thrown myself into it, despite my clumsy fingers and the persistent cough that had just begun to plague me. The wool, a

e afternoon, as I struggled with a particularly intricate stitch, I felt a sharp prick. One of the knitting needles

ght? You're so pale!" She had fussed over my hand, then insisted I drink a special "herbal blend" she' d made, claiming it would "calm my ne

rrified, blaming themselves for not noticing my "frail constitution." Isabel, meanwhile, cried hysterically, blaming hers

hurt her. I guess I just don't understand how someone can be so... sensitive." He had gone from visiting me daily in the hospital to distant, infrequent calls. My forced confinement, labeled a "sensitive health

flat, pulling myself up to a sitting position. The room sud

appearing just when a situation reached its boiling point. I wondered if he had been listening outside the door. He used to do that sometimes, in the early days of our engagement, when he s

p." She turned to me, her voice falsely bright. "Ela, darling, you know I overcame that silly allergy years ago. Remember how I made myself wea

y spread across my skin where she touc

backward, clutching her stomach, then collapsed to the floor wit

ost imperceptible movement, as she scratched her arm befo

, rushing to her side. "Wha

e contorted with rage. "What did you do,

pear on Isabel's exposed arm, spre

She's breaking out in hives! Just like before! Ela, yo

t, impossibly severe. Much faster than any natural allergic reaction I had ever witnessed. My mind raced, connecting the dots. Th

d, barely audibl

His eyes, when they met mine, were filled with a cold, murderous fury. "What did you do to her, Ela?" h

nted us to be sisters again. I should have known she'd never change." She lifted her head, her eyes, s