Watching her feigned innocence, Rosetta found herself growing weary of the pretense. "It's just us here now. No need to act like this. You're happy enough being allowed to stay here, aren't you?"
"Of course, I'm so happy to live here with you, Rosetta."
"Let's not kid ourselves, okay? You would prefer if I moved out and made room for you in this house."
"Will you, then?" Sierra's tone was almost innocent as she tilted her head and widened her eyes.
Rosetta looked at her for a moment, unable to suppress a wry smile. "Maybe I have underestimated you."
"Rosetta, Elliot and Edric have taken such good care of me. You've had your time with them. Honestly, it might be best if you left. Otherwise, staying here might only make it harder for you to accept things as they are."
"Whether I can accept things or not has nothing to do with you." Rosetta did not want to waste a second to listen to her nonsense, so she turned to leave.
But before she could take a step, Sierra reached forward, grabbing her hand. "Still not giving up, are you?"
Before Rosetta could process her words, Sierra suddenly twisted away, releasing Rosetta's hand and deliberately crashing her own forehead against the corner of the table.
Her cry of pain startled Rosetta, leaving her momentarily frozen.
Hurried footsteps sounded behind them. It was Elliot and Edric approaching in panic.
Elliot shoved Rosetta aside and rushed to Sierra's side. Rosetta stumbled back, her right hand slamming painfully against the decorative shelf, the sharp pain making it hard to stand upright.
"Rosetta, I know you don't like me, but I was only staying here for a night. If it bothers you that much, I could have just left. Why did you have to push me?"
There was blood on Sierra's forehead. Her voice was soft, yet her words twisted the truth, casting Rosetta as the villain.
Suppressing the ache in her wrist, Rosetta tried to speak, but Edric seized her hand angrily. "Since when have you changed to be this narrow-minded?"
Elliot was holding Sierra in his arms as he looked at Rosetta with a harsh, icy glare. "I'm deeply disappointed in you, Rosie."
The pain in her wrist left Rosetta's face ghostly pale. She met their condemning stares before a bitter laugh escaped her lips. "Is it really me who has changed? Or is it the two of you?"