"Don't be scared, don't be scared. It's just a relationship, after all. Neither of you is married, it was mutual. What right does he have to take revenge?"
My father slapped the table hard.
"Want to take revenge on my daughter? He'll have to go through me first!"
My sister sobbed, "But he's been in jail and was involved in some shady business."
Mom and dad looked at each other.
"How did you end up dating someone like that?" my father asked, puzzled.
"I didn't mean to..." My sister covered her face and cried.
My mother immediately felt sorry for her, pulling her into her arms, "Why are you being so harsh? What's done is done, we'll find a way to deal with it."
My father, feeling a bit guilty, said, "I was just worried. I'm sorry, Janet."
The three of them huddled together affectionately, while I stood there like an outsider.
They had always favored my sweet-talking but cruel-hearted sister since we were little.
Even though they knew she was hiding something, they were willing to tolerate it.
Unlike me, who only seemed to invite their dislike.
My heart ached faintly, and I lowered my gaze, not wanting to see this happy family of three anymore.
After comforting my sister for a while, my parents discussed something and then looked at me in unison.
My father looked me up and down before speaking, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, "Carol, you and Janet are twins. You should take her place and marry that man."
Mom also rarely looked at me directly.
"We'll give you a dowry of 20,000 dollars. After you marry him, live well with him. People have feelings; even if the truth comes out later, he won't make things difficult for you."
My sister clung to my arm, "Sister, please, help me, okay?"
As they said this, their attitude was so matter-of-fact.
As if they already knew that the sensible me would give them a satisfactory answer.
But I was human too.
Summoning my courage, I couldn't help but ask them, "Why should I marry that man when it was my sister who made the mistake?"
My mother slapped me hard across the face, angrily accusing me, "What nonsense are you spouting? I never thought you could be so selfish. Janet is your own sister. How can you bear to see her thrown into the wolf's den?"
So it was unacceptable for Janet, but okay for Carol?
I didn't voice that question because deep down, I already knew the answer.
4
On the second day of my death, my body grew even stiffer.