Chapter 4

After making Jenny leave, I helped Tania into the house.

"Verena, do you think... do you think that Jenny might really... "

"Don't worry about it, Mom," I interrupted her. "You and Dad have such a strong relationship. He would never betray you."

She looked at me, wanting to say more but holding back.

Although I didn't say anything further, my emotions were in turmoil.

That report... it seemed quite solid to me.

And Jenny was only two or three years younger than me, which meant Dad betrayed us in the third year of their marriage.

After soothing Tania and urging her to cease having wild imaginings, I stuffed my belongings into my bag and made my way back to the school dormitory.

My roommate, Beth Curtis, peeked out from behind her curtain when she heard me.

"When you went home earlier, a freshman came looking for you. She asked me a lot of questions about you," Beth teased. "I never imagined Verena would be so famous that even having a freshman follower from the art department would come seeking you out."

A sense of unease washed over me.

"Oh, she left her WhatsApp for you. The number's on your desk."

Following Beth's pointing finger, I saw a pink heart-shaped sticky note with a phone number on it.

I searched for the WhatsApp account, and sure enough, it was Jenny.

Her profile picture was a mirror selfie, with the three cameras glaring back at me.

It was the latest iPhone, a luxury I couldn't even dream of.

Her life seemed so privileged.

Why had she suddenly appeared?

To find out, I added her on WhatsApp.

She accepted almost instantly.

"You finally added me, my dear sister."

I felt a wave of nausea and didn't want to reply.