Killing My Half-Sister with Kindness

My dad brought the illegitimate daughter home while I was in the living room eating an orange.

“This is your sister.”

“She's three months older than you. She'll be living here from now on.”

A girl stood in the entryway. Faded school uniform, washed so many times it had gone white. Big eyes. Shrinking into herself.

“Hello, ma'am. Hi… sis.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “I-I won't be any trouble.”

My mom sat on the sofa, face ashen, nails digging into her palms.

I kept peeling my orange. Said nothing.

Last life, I'd fallen for every bit of that.