Chapter 6 MY SISTER'S ENVY

My stay at Bryan's mansion was a mixture of happiness and tension. While I found comfort in Brayan's presence, Mira, my sister, distanced herself even more from me, observing me with more silent resentment. A life beyond the stables had always been her dream, beyond the humble and simple life our family's legacy was built on. I never imagined her aspirations would brew such resentment for me, her only sister.

So, on one sunny afternoon, Bryan was relaxing in the garden. Mira took the opportunity to bond with him. She approached him with a gentle smile that suggested interest and curiosity. She wore a cologne so much that you could smell her from miles away.

"Hello, Mr. Bryan; I hope you don't mind me joining you." She said, trying to sound as smooth as possible away from her usual voice as she took her seat in front of him.

Bryan raised his head from the book he had been focused on and, with a polite but surprised expression, replied. "Gooday, Miss. Mirabel, I don't".

"Please call me Mira". She crossed her legs elegantly as she sat, revealing a major part of her thighs from the shorts she wore. "It must be amazing for you, living a life like this, having everything you could imagine".

Bryan chuckled. "Outwardly, yes, but riches don't bring happiness."

She shook her head with a sense of confusion. "It makes life simpler; it brings freedom; you don't have to do strenuous jobs to survive or worry about finances."

Bryan looked at her as he closed his books. "What are you trying to say, Miss. Mirabel?".

Bryan closed his book and studied her carefully. "Mira, why are you telling me this?".

"Oh no reason at all, just counting your blessings, and don't you think it is a bond that two people are drawn to something so good?". She said, leaning slightly forward.

Bryan let out a deep sigh. "I understand what you mean. But I must be honest with you".

She gave a wide satisfied smile, expecting him to acknowledge her desire. But was shocked at his words.

"I care a lot about Tessy, your sister, these few days I have spent with her have made me realize how much I am drawn to her. She is everything I ever dream of and she is all the happiness my riches can't bring me".

Mira watched him with eyes wide open as his words cut deep into her. "What...what do you mean?". She said with a frown.

But Bryan didn't seem to notice her expression, he continued. "Tessy is different from any woman I have ever met. She sees me for what I am and not what I have. I can be myself around her. She has been the wind that carried me through my hard times. And to be sincere, I have fallen for her".

Mira clenched her fists at her sides; sharp feelings overwhelmed her, feelings of fury and resentment. She stood up suddenly, trying to hide her feelings, and said with a shallow smile. "That is good to hear, Bryan; I wish you the best." And she walked away before he could reply.

I was in my room, lost in my thoughts when she raged in and slammed the door behind her.

"So, you brought me here so you could humiliate me, right!?". She said at the top of her voice.

I turned around, surprised by her actions and tone. "Calm down Mira, what is going on?".

Anger flickered in her eyes; it was like nothing I had ever seen before. "You only brought me along to remind me that wherever we go, people will always pick you over me".

I was hurt and confused by her words. "You know that is a lie, dear Mira; you are my sister; I let you come because I couldn't stand being away from you."

She let out a bitter laugh. "You knew Bryan would take no interest in me; you knew everyone would be drawn to your charm, like always. You are effortlessly attractive, and I am just a nobody".

My heart melted to see her this way, to know she felt this way, "I love you, dear sister; I will never try to subdue you in any way, and I would never take pleasure in seeing you this way."

"All the same, you did, and I am done living in your shadow. Expecting people to take notice of me. I am fed up with the humiliation".

"Please dear sister, don't let your feelings blind you from seeing how much I love you. Don't let envy stand in the way of what we share". I begged her, taking a step closer to her.

"Easy for you to say; you have everything, you always wanted." She spoke, gesturing for me to stop.

"No Mira, I do not. I want you; I want to bridge this gap between us.

"We have never been okay and will never be Tessy, I will not rest until I make you know how it feels like to be me, what it feels like to be left behind. I am leaving, but this isn't over". She said as she turned and stormed out of my room.

This sent a shiver through my whole body. "Mira please do not go!". I called out, but she had disappeared down the hallway in a hurry.

As silence hung in my room, I let my mind wander. Hours passed as I sat in silence, pondering on my sister's words. I replayed how she had reacted when Bryan had invited me over to the mansion again. I didn't understand why she would hate me so much for no reason. But I understood now, why my parents were against bringing her along, I was the only one too blind to see it. Mira had always been the desperate one, whatever she wanted, she took by force. And I feared and prayed that whatever she planned would change our lives forever.