Page 3 of After real sister came back, I was kicked out

When my collar was yanked up roughly, I looked at Tristan and nodded solemnly. "I heard you."

I never intended to compete with Zoey for anything. Besides, even if I tried, how could I possibly win against her?

I was nothing but a fakewho would ever take my side?

"Come on, you're being too harsh on Evelyn. I'm fine." Just as things seemed to settle down, Zoey jumped in again, wrapping her arms around me affectionately. "Evelyn, let's go have some fun together. Don't mind them."

She was always so willful. Tristan indulgently ruffled her hair, and even Anton, usually expressionless, broke into a smile.

This was how the male and female leads were supposed to interact in the novel.

"It's okay, this is what I deserve." I subtly pulled away from Zoey.

But she acted as if she didn't notice. Every time I tried to distance myself, she'd pull me back.

"Evelyn." Perhaps sensing my unease, Tristan shot me a glare.

Then, without giving me a choice, he led me into the study, with Anton silently following behind.

They wanted to get Zoey out of earshot so they could warn me to behave.

This time, I didn't throw a tantrum like I had during the engagement. Even my aching heart gradually settled into calm.

"Mr. Snyder, Mr. Hayes, don't worry. I'm only here to collect what belongs to me. I won't compete with Zoey for anything." I spoke sincerely.

But Tristan still eyed me suspiciously. "Your room has the best lighting in the entire house. I've already had Zoey move in there. Your luggage will be placed in a guest room."

He issued the order directly. My chest tightened with a sour ache, and I responded with a muffled "okay."

"Same at my place," Anton continued. "I hope you know your place. Since you're back, go cook. Zoey likes what you make. After all the care she showed you back then, you wouldn't refuse, would you?"

Cooking was the only thing I'd learned to do in over twenty years, and only because of these two men standing before me.

Now they were asking me to personally cook for someone else. In the past, I would have thrown a fit.

But now, I simply nodded calmly. "Okay."

I don't know how I made it to the kitchen, but staying busy helps you forget many thingslike sadness, like exhaustion.

"Evelyn, thank you for cooking for me personally." Zoey quickly learned about this and came to the kitchen specifically to thank me.

"It's nothing." I didn't look up, continuing with my work.

"What are you making? Can I help?" Zoey wandered around the kitchen like a curious child, even reaching out to lift the pot lid.

The lid was scalding hot. I panicked and immediately called out to stop her.

But she moved faster, and the moment her hand touched it, she got burned. The pain made her instinctively fling the lid away, and the boiling soup splashed all over me.

The lid seemed to have found its target, crashing straight down onto my leg.

With a tremendous crash, I collapsed to the floor, too pained to speak.

"What happened?" Tristan was the first to rush in, his face full of concern.

But his foot stepped directly on my hand as he walked straight toward Zoey.

"Evelyn, I remember warning you already. What kind of tantrum are you throwing now? Don't forget your place." He snarled through gritted teeth.

I tried to pull back my reddened hand that had been stepped on, but Anton walked over too, stepping on the exact same spot.

He also scolded angrily: "Evelyn, is this how you were raised?"

Three pairs of eyes fixed on me in unison. I gently blew on my aching palm and struggled to my feet.

Zoey quickly explained: "Tristan, Anton, this isn't Evelyn's fault. I wanted to help, but I didn't realize the lid would be so hot. Don't blame hershe didn't mean it."

When they scolded me, they always said Zoey had suffered so much because of me all these years.

But when something actually happened, they forgothow could Zoey not know that a pot lid would be hot?

Tristan said, "Don't try to make excuses, Evelyn. Don't think I don't know what you're thinkingyou're just jealous of Zoey. I never imagined you'd become so scheming. You say it's nothing, but your actions show you'd love nothing more than to hurt Zoey. I'm ashamed to have ever called you my sister."

After those hurtful words escaped his lips, Tristan covered his mouth, looking somewhat uneasy. He knew these words would hurt me, knew I couldn't accept them. But so what? He'd already said them.

"Tristan, don't say that about Evelyn. It's all my fault. I probably haven't done housework in so long that I accidentally knocked things over," Zoey quickly explained.

Anton shot me a disapproving look. "Zoey, you're just too kind. That's why this person keeps bullying you over and over again. Look how red your hands are. Come on, I'll take you to put some medicine on them."

Though Tristan didn't blame me further, his attitude made it clear he was holding me responsible too.

"Clean up the kitchen," Anton said, barely glancing at me as he reached the doorway.

This time, I had no expectations, so naturally there was no disappointment. But I was in real painmy knees felt like they were completely shot.

The large kitchen was a complete mess. Servants came and went, whispering among themselves, but none offered to help. Only one girlyoung and seemingly not yet of agestood behind me, carefully supporting me and trying to give me some strength.

"Ms. Snyder, do you need help?"

"It's okay, I can manage," I said, fighting through the pain in my calves.

The girl blinked shyly and pointed to the blisters forming on my body. "You should really treat those wounds. It won't look good if they scar."

She spoke so gently, and her movements were efficient. Within minutes, she had the kitchen cleaned up.

I thanked her. "Thank you."

I hadn't realized until then that I was in so much pain I could barely walk. Without this girl, I might have collapsed here and no one would have noticed.

She said, "Don't mention it, Ms. Snyder. Don't be sad. I believe in you. You're so kind and goodyou're the one being bullied, not the other way around. Let me help you get some medicine."

This was the first kindness I'd felt since returning to this house. The feeling was special, as if all my past efforts had finally received some acknowledgment.

That evening, after applying medicine, I lay in bed researching when I heard laughter and chatter outside my door. They were going outbecause of today's burn incident, Tristan wanted to make it up to Zoey by taking her on an overseas trip.

"Aren't we bringing Evelyn?" I heard Zoey ask with apparent concern before they left.

Anton gave her some token praise, then answered dismissively, "No need to bring her. She's old enough to take care of herself. Besides, she's traveled to so many places since childhoodshe doesn't need to compete with you for a consolation trip. It's better if we go without her, so she won't bully you."

His tone was as domineering as always, just like when I was bullied as a child and he would proudly hold me close, saying, "You're someone I've spoiledno one gets to hurt you."

My laptop screen dimmed and brightened again, the darkness hiding the tears in my eyes. So love really doesn't disappearit just transfers to someone else.