My Sister Hospitalized at Night, My Boyfriend Was Her Caregiver

I let their story slide without further comment.

Taking care of Olivia? No thanks. Let someone else stick around.

I made up an excuse and headed home.

I crept in quietly, trying not to wake Mom.

But the moment I took off my shoes, there she was, coming out of her room.

She snapped at me, "Out at all hours—do you have a death wish? Look at the time! You're not acting like a lady should!"

Olivia and I share a birthday, yet I'm the only one who gets the third degree if I'm out late.

But my sister, no matter when she comes home, never catches any flak.

Not acting like a lady should? Olivia's the queen of that, not me!

I was already frustrated with the whole mess with Olivia and Jason, and now Mom's laying into me without a clue about what's really going on.

I burst out, "Right, I'm the reckless one. Just went to the hospital because your darling daughter needed ER after playing with her toys!"

Mom looked stunned, "The hospital? What happened? What toys are you talking about?"

I shot back, "Why don't you ask your perfect daughter yourself?"

I slammed my bedroom door behind me, tuning out Mom's shouts from the hall.

When I got home from work the next day, Olivia was already there.

She and Mom were all smiles on the couch, chatting away.

As soon as I walked in, all Mom said was, "You're back. Now go make dinner."

I ignored her and headed to my room to pack.

Mom came after me, all sarcasm, "I'm talking to you! What, packing now? Thinking of running away? Fine, go—and don't come back!"

Like I'd leave for good with things still unresolved.

I replied calmly, "I've been assigned a business trip. I won't be home this week."

Of course, there was no trip.

I just wanted to clear out to give Olivia and Jason their space.

They'd need a lot more than a hotel if I stayed around.

Catching them would be simpler at home.

I grabbed my suitcase and left, pausing to look back at Olivia.

She was smiling as she texted, probably letting Jason know the coast was clear.

I staked out a café across from our place for several days.

Right on cue, on day three, Jason showed up like he owned the place.

Mom left shortly after.

I waited for the right moment, then slipped upstairs and unlocked the door.

I didn't even need to reach the bedroom; Olivia's moans gave everything away.

I kicked in the door.

They both jumped, scrambling from the bed.

Jason, struggling with his pants, pleaded, "Heather, it's not what you think. Let me explain."

I scoffed, "Explain what? Caught you red-handed. Am I supposed to be blind or just plain stupid? Have you no shame, Jason?"

Jason was at a loss for words.

Olivia, unfazed, wrapped in a blanket, smirked, "So I'm with your boyfriend. What's it to you? Call the cops? Go ahead, try to scare me."

I was about to retort when the front door swung open.

Mom walked in with groceries, saying cheerily, "Olivia, I brought your favorite—crab for dinner! And how's Jason's mom—"

She stopped mid-sentence when she saw me, "Heather? Weren't you on a business trip? Why are you here?"

Her question just made me laugh bitterly.

Clearly, she was in on it with Olivia and Jason, even helping them keep it from me.

I snapped, "If I hadn't come back, I'd never know how quickly you all became a perfect little trio behind my back."

Mom's face darkened, "Why must you speak so harshly? What's this about behind backs? It sounds like we've committed a crime!"

I stared her down, "My sister's been sleeping with my boyfriend, and you knew. Instead of stopping it, you covered for them. How's that right?"

SMACK!

A slap echoed across my face.

I stared in disbelief, "You slapped me? I haven't done anything wrong. Why would you hit me?"

Mom pointed sternly, "I raised you, and I can discipline you if I need to! How dare you accuse me?"

"So what if she's been sleeping with Jason? She's family. What's the big deal?"

"You're sisters, and it's just sharing; it's not the end of the world."

I glared, "Are you aware that we live under a monogamous system?"

Mom dismissed it, "Monogamy, sch-monogamy. Once she's married, you can all live together. No law against not marrying. It's a private family matter, even if the Pope showed up, he couldn't meddle!"

Now I saw clearly where Olivia got her defiance.

And why she was never afraid to challenge me directly.

Mom had always shown her bias, regardless of what Olivia did.

We're twins. Olivia's birth was smooth yet mine was harder.

I nearly caused Mom's death by being born.

So, in her opinion, Olivia's a good kid, and I am the one haunting her for debts in her past life.

Since Dad died, her favoritism became even more pronounced.

As kids, Olivia would take my things, and Mom would look the other way.

When I complained, she'd just say, "Let your sister have her way; you're the younger one."

So, I've always backed down, but not anymore.

Even now, with my own boyfriend, Mom still sides with Olivia.

Despite my utter disgust for Jason now, I'm never going back to him.

Still, I was curious to see what Mom and Olivia would pull if I stood my ground this time.

I asked defiantly, "What if I don't step aside?"

Irritated, Mom pointed at me, "So, a few days out and you think you can stand up to me now?"

I glanced at Olivia, who was just getting off the bed, now fully dressed.

She grabbed my hand, her smile sly, "Sweet sister, there's no opting out this time. I'm pregnant."

"The child is Jason's."