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"Shut up!"Paul stormed out,slapping her twice.
As he raised his hand for a third,I grabbed it.He turned,confused,seeing my face,so like Jenna's,and realized I was her twin.
"Meddling bitch,I'll beat you too!"
He tried to pull free but couldn't.
I tightened my grip,and he screamed as pain shot through him like he had been hit by lightning.
"Sophia?"Aunt called uncertainly,approaching.
Martha,seeing her precious son hurt,abandoned her act,lunging to pry my arm instead.I kicked her aside.
Paul,seizing the moment,swung,accidentally hitting Aunt,who'd come forward to pull us apart.Pale and frail,she collapsed.
I swiftly knocked both down,yelling at Jenna,"Call 911!"
"911?Hospital bills cost a fortune.Emma's just pampered,too delicate.More chores'll fix her,"Martha spat,clutching her sore waist.
Seeing Jenna hesitate,I didn't argue,dialing for an ambulance myself.
While waiting,Martha sized me up."You look like that brat.You're the sister in France?"
I didn't deny it.She demanded,"Since we're family,even you beat me and your uncle hard like that,we won’t ask you to pay much of our medical bills,just give us $20,000."
"Medical bills?Fine,let's call the cops!"
"Let's tally who's hit more—you beating Jenna and Aunt,or me beating you and your husband.And how about your child abuse?Neighbors are all witnesses."
I reached for my phone to dial.
The crowd began condemning Martha's past actions.
"Old Martha,didn't you cause your daughter-in-law's miscarriage once?"
"Yeah,and just days ago,locked that girl out,trying to freeze her to death."
Under their accusations,Martha flinched.
A small-town bully,she cowered at the thought of facing"the law,"especially with her abuse being an undeniable fact.
Paul jumped in and stopped me."Hey,we're family.Let's not make a fuss."
Seeing them back off,I ignored them,anxiously watching Aunt's bloodless face.
At the hospital,doctors confirmed Aunt was pregnant.
I froze.A lifetime ago,after adopting me,she never conceived.
And after I started college,she divorced Paul quickly.
Was this child a blessing or a curse?
Aunt,woken by Martha and Paul's laughter,looked overjoyed at the news.
"Emma,you've finally done right!"Martha beamed,she was so happy she couldn’t stop laughing.
Paul chimed in,"You better give us a son as a Gibbs heir!"
Aunt nodded,eyes teary.
She'd insisted on marrying Paul,but years of infertility made her feel she'd failed him.
That guilt let Martha control her.
I entered,interrupting their joy."Aunt,how're you feeling?Need the doctor?"
She grabbed my hand tightly."Sophia,I'm fine.Thank you for today."
I smiled,shaking my head.
She looked at Jenna,taking her hand too."Jenna,you'll soon have a little cousin."
Jenna forced a small smile,but her eyeswere cold.
Martha snorted."Knew it—Jenna's an ungrateful brat.No way she's happy for our Gibbs family."
"But,brat,happy or not,you're taking over all chores from now on."
Martha gloated,"Can't my daughter-in-law get tired and risk my grandson.I’ll skin you alive if anything happens to her!"
"Mom,I'm not that fragile.I can handle chores.Jenna's still young,"Aunt weakly protested.
"Shut it!Mom's right—can't risk my darling wife and precious son!"Paul barked."Jenna,we've raised you long enough.Time to pay us back."
Seeing they three of them happy together like a real family,Jenna lowered her head,silent.
I pulled her out of the room."Sister,this is the life you fought for?"
Her resentment flared."Sophia,who're you to mock me?"
Glancing at my T-shirt and jeans,she sneered."Dressed so shabby—guess you're not thriving abroad either."
Jenna hadn't changed—still a shallow fool.
I didn't bother arguing,only urging her to protect Aunt and call the cops if things became violent again.
She scoffed,impatient,a glint of malice in her eyes."Stop playing saint.Mind your own business."
Days later,I heard Aunt was discharged.
Visiting the Gibbs',I expected Jenna's barbs,but she greeted me with an eerie smile.
I chatted with Aunt for a while,her face still pale,then prepared to leave.
During our talk,Jenna busied herself in the kitchen.
Hearing the door,she shockingly offered to walk me out.
Aunt,pleased,said,"You sisters catch up now.I'll cook something nice for you the next time you come back!"
Ignoring my protests,she shooed us out,smiling,heading to the kitchen.
Walking through the rundown neighborhood,Jenna and I were silent.
Something felt off.
Jenna wasn't just ignoring me out of hate.
Her face was ashen,sweating,jittery.
I grabbed her hand,demanding,"What did you do?"
"Nothing!"Her eyes darted,voice trembling.
Dread hit me.I dragged her back to Aunt's.
She struggled,but she was no match of me.
Back at the house,I saw a horrifying scene.
Auntwas lying at the kitchen door,blood pooling beneath her,eyes vacant,passed out from pain.
Despite rushing to the hospital,she miscarried.
