Sallie's POV
Zora tenderly clasped Jill's hand, her voice dripping with warmth. "You're absolutely perfect as you are. What's this talk about losing weight? Seeing you skip meals would absolutely devastate me."
Jill nestled against her arm with practiced sweetness. "Mom, am I the most gorgeous girl alive?"
"Without question. My precious daughter outshines every girl on earth," Zora beamed, her loving expression a stark contrast to the cold concern she'd directed at me just minutes earlier.
Harvey's harsh features melted into something approaching paternal warmth. Webster released his anger, looking satisfied. Even Kevin's perpetually serious mask cracked into a tender smile.
They formed a perfect circle around Jill—the ideal, loving family. Nobody bothered remembering that today marked my return after years of absence.
I remained frozen in the doorway, observing their cozy tableau. My hollow gaze registered nothing.
I'd witnessed this exact scene countless times. Each time, rage had consumed me, jealousy had eaten me alive, and I'd refused to accept it.
I'd thrown myself at this loving family repeatedly—only to meet their icy, irritated stares.
"Sallie, why must you constantly act so petty and antagonize Jill?"
"Sallie, you're insufferable."
"Sallie, just leave us alone."
"Sallie..."
The me standing here now would never again force myself into a family that rejected me, regardless of how desperately I'd once craved their affection.
I ducked my head and retreated, making myself small—withdrawing from a home that had never truly belonged to me.
Eventually, the Noahs remembered my presence. Their smiles and warmth evaporated one by one.
Zora extended her hand again, her tone gentle. "Sallie, you're so quiet. Did someone mistreat you at St. Chaim's?"
I went rigid. My arm, trapped in Zora's grip, shook involuntarily.
I used to chatter endlessly—desperately manufacturing conversation so my family might acknowledge me. It seemed like the only path to visibility.
But they'd always branded me too loud, too needy, too overwhelming. Unlike Jill—sweet, reserved, effortlessly lovable.
At St. Chaim Reform Academy, talking earned me beatings. So I learned silence. Exactly what my family had always demanded.
I yanked my arm free and backed away, head still lowered. "I appreciate your concern, Mrs. Noah. But nobody mistreated me. St. Chaim's suited me perfectly."
Compared to the kids who never escaped, I was fortunate to survive.
Zora stood stunned, uncertain whether my withdrawal or calling her "Mrs. Noah" had made her eyes water. "Sallie, you..."
We'd once shared such closeness.
Jill, hovering nearby, spotted Zora's tears first. She quickly seized her arm, then fixed me with glistening eyes.
"Sallie, Mom genuinely cares about you," Jill whispered. "When you push her away like that, you wound her deeply."
"Blame me instead. I shouldn't have returned and stolen their love from you. I shouldn't have told everyone you shoved me down those stairs. This is entirely my fault..." Her voice cracked as tears flowed.
Jill's sobs immediately captured Zora's attention. Zora rushed to embrace her. "This isn't your fault, Jill. Don't cry. How could any of this be your fault?"
Whatever guilt she'd harbored toward me vanished, replaced entirely by sympathy for Jill. In her mind, Jill was simply too considerate.
When Webster witnessed Zora and Jill weeping, his expression darkened. "Sallie, you just returned and you're already tormenting Jill right in front of us. That's completely unacceptable! Apologize to her. Right now."
I couldn't fathom how I'd supposedly bullied Jill.
I hadn't spoken a single word to Jill since entering this house. And even regarding the past accusations against me—I still couldn't comprehend how any of it made sense.
But none of that mattered. I'd traveled far today. Rest was my only desire now.
I bowed toward Jill, my voice steady and earnest. "I apologize, Ms. Noah. Everything was my fault. Please forgive me."
I didn't understand my transgression, but I knew how to deliver the type of apology that sounded most authentic—and most satisfying. If Jill preferred, I could offer the same apology in many variations.
Webster continued seething. "I ordered you to apologize to Jill and you're still making excuses! I—"
But when he registered that I'd actually apologized, his words died. His furious expression froze, making him appear somewhat foolish.
Not just Webster—everyone stared at me in shock, watching me bow so small and subdued.
Nobody anticipated such easy surrender. Previously, even when Harvey struck me with a whip, I'd stood tall and maintained my innocence.
It was because I'd allegedly pushed Jill down the stairs and nearly killed her—and refused to confess—that they'd shipped me to St. Chaim Reform Academy initially.
In the silence, Jill suddenly approached and helped me straighten, her face radiating emotion. "Sallie, this marks the first time you've ever apologized to me. Naturally I forgive you.
"Though you used to constantly misunderstand me and committed so many terrible acts, I believe you genuinely repent this time. I'm confident you're not just pretending to withdraw so you can harm me later like before."
Then she addressed the others. "Dad, Mom, Kevin, Webster—you trust Sallie too, don't you?"
Her words seemed to break their trance. They all regarded me with revulsion.
Webster stepped forward, positioning Jill behind him and glaring at me. "Jill, why do you still trust this manipulator?
"Sallie, don't imagine I can't see through your act. You're pretending to be reformed so we'll lower our defenses—then you'll target Jill again.
"You deliberately returned late and worried us all, just to make it appear Jill was responsible for delaying your homecoming.
"Now you're playing victim to pit us against each other. Do you honestly think we're as stupid as you?"
Confronted with his furious accusations, I felt no urge to argue.
But I realized if I didn't address this, they probably wouldn't allow me to rest anytime soon.