Chapter 8: The Sister Who Knew
Nobody moved.
The words echoed through the hallway.
Your sister.
Samantha looked at Olivia and Charlotte’s bedroom doors.
Her mind refused to accept it.
“My sister?””
Victoria nodded slowly.
“Yes.””
Alexander stepped forward.
“Victoria, be careful.””
But Victoria laughed.
“Why?””
She looked at him.
“Because now everyone wants the truth.””
Samantha stared.
“Which sister?””
Victoria didn’t answer immediately.
That scared Samantha more than anything.
“Tell me.””
Victoria looked toward the staircase.
Then she said:
“Charlotte.””
The mansion became silent.
Samantha felt like the floor disappeared beneath her.
Charlotte?
The same sister who laughed while Samantha washed dishes?
The same sister who called her a maid?
No.
It couldn’t be.
Victoria watched her reaction.
“You always thought she was just cruel.””
Samantha whispered:
“Wasn’t she?””
Victoria smiled.
“She was.””
The answer was immediate.
“But she was also afraid.””
Alexander frowned.
“Afraid of what?””
Victoria looked at Samantha.
“Of losing everything.””
Later that night, Samantha found Charlotte in the garden.
The younger woman stood near the ocean cliffs.
Her expensive dress moved in the wind.
For the first time, she looked less like a princess.
And more like someone trapped.
Samantha approached.
“Charlotte.””
Charlotte turned.
Her expression changed immediately.
“What do you want?””
Samantha held up the documents.
“I want answers.””
Charlotte looked away.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.””
“Yes, you do.””
The silence was enough.
Samantha stepped closer.
“Did you know?””
Charlotte’s eyes moved toward the documents.
Then back to Samantha.
“How much?””
“Enough.””
Charlotte closed her eyes.
And Samantha saw something unexpected.
Regret.
“You hate me.””
The statement surprised Samantha.
“What?””
Charlotte laughed softly.
“You should.””
She looked at the ocean.
“I deserve it.””
Samantha didn’t know what to say.
Charlotte had never admitted anything before.
Not once.
“Why?””
Charlotte’s voice became quiet.
“Because I was there.””
Samantha waited.
“When Mom took you away from your father, I was there.””
The confession hit hard.
Samantha’s chest tightened.
“You were five years old.””
“I know.””
Charlotte’s eyes filled.
“I remember you crying.””
Samantha stared.
“What?””
Charlotte looked at her.
“You kept asking where Daddy was.””
The world went quiet.
“I wanted to tell you.””
“Then why didn’t you?””
Charlotte looked away.
“Because Mom threatened me.””
Samantha froze.
“She said if I told you, she would send me away too.””
The anger inside Samantha mixed with confusion.
“You let her do it.””
Charlotte nodded.
“Yes.””
The honesty hurt.
“But why?””
Charlotte swallowed.
“Because I was a child.””
She looked at Samantha.
“And because I was selfish.””
Samantha had imagined this moment for years.
She imagined Charlotte apologizing.
Begging.
Crying.
But now that it happened…
it didn’t feel satisfying.
Because Samantha realized something.
Everyone in this house had been damaged by Victoria.
Some became victims.
Some became cruel.
Charlotte stepped closer.
“There’s something else.””
Samantha looked at her.
“What?””
Charlotte hesitated.
Then whispered:
“Olivia doesn’t know.””
Samantha frowned.
“What?””
“She doesn’t know about the inheritance.””
“Why?””
“Because Mom told her a different story.””
Samantha felt a chill.
“What story?””
Charlotte looked terrified.
“She told Olivia that you weren’t a real Collins.””
The words hurt.
“But that’s not true.””
Charlotte nodded.
“I know.””
A sound came from behind them.
Both sisters turned.
Olivia stood there.
Her face was pale.
“How long were you planning to hide this from me?””
Charlotte froze.
“Olivia…”
“No.””
Olivia laughed bitterly.
“You all knew.””
Samantha looked at her.
“Olivia, I—”
“You knew I was fighting for something that was never mine.””
Her eyes filled with tears.
For the first time, Samantha saw her sister without arrogance.
Only pain.
Olivia looked at Charlotte.
“You knew.””
Charlotte whispered:
“I was trying to protect you.””
Olivia shook her head.
“No.””
She stepped back.
“You were protecting yourself.””
Then she turned toward Samantha.
And Samantha expected anger.
Instead, Olivia said something that shocked her.
“Mom lied to both of us.””
Before Samantha could answer, Olivia’s phone rang.
She looked down.
The screen showed one name.
Victoria.
Olivia answered.
A few seconds passed.
Then her face changed.
“What?””
Everyone watched her.
“What do you mean you found him?””
Samantha felt cold.
“Found who?””
Olivia slowly lowered the phone.
Her voice shook.
“Your grandfather.””
Alexander immediately turned.
“My grandfather?””
Olivia nodded.
“He’s alive.””
Nobody spoke.
Because everyone thought the old man had died years ago.
May you like
Then Olivia whispered:
“And he wants to meet Samantha.””
