Chapter 5

Sarah's face was filled with guilt. She seemed to think Mom hadn't really done anything unforgivable in her life, and her current wailing words were dripping with anguish. Her wavering heart instantly tilted towards Mom.

I knew Sarah was soft-hearted, and Mom was a master manipulator.

Coupled with the unbreakable bond of sisterhood they'd shared for so many years, Sarah being convinced was only a matter of time.

But I still couldn't help the ache in my heart; in this whole drama, I was completely alone and helpless.

As I thought about it, real tears began to fall. I pursed my lips and whimpered, "Aunt Sarah, Mommy said she wanted to check the ring box, so I gave it to her. When I got it back, the rings were gone."

I thought that a six-year-old's tears would at least elicit some pity.

But I didn't receive Sarah's comfort. Instead, her gaze turned suddenly cold.

"Lily, who taught you to say such a long speech?" Sarah's voice was devoid of warmth. "Your mother wouldn't harm you. You, on the other hand, for such a young child, are slick-tongued and quite skilled at twisting the truth!"

"If it weren't for my many years of sisterhood with your mom, I really would have been fooled by you today!"

Mark, holding my cousin Leo who was still sucking his thumb, chimed in with a sarcastic undertone, "We really need to raise our kids well in the future. Brenda, you're raising a child alone, it must be so hard. We haven't been as supportive as we should."

His words, seemingly comforting Mom, were like another stab to my heart.

Even Grandpa and Grandma, who were usually kind, were now shaking their heads and sighing at me.

"This child, so young and already learning to steal, and full of lies. What will she be like when she grows up?"

"What a disgrace to the family!"

The relatives also began to point and whisper about me.

Seeing this, Mom stopped crying, a triumphant smirk playing on her lips.

She had successfully pushed me out to be universally condemned, and also deepened Sarah's family's guilt towards her.

My heart sank. I decided to go all in.

"No, Aunt Sarah! Why would I take your rings? It was Mommy! She's jealous of you and Mark's loving marriage, so she wanted to steal the rings to ruin your wedding!"

Before the words fully left my mouth, Sarah's face completely darkened.

She looked at me with deep disappointment, stating each word deliberately, "That spot at the top-tier elementary school next year? Forget about it. If I introduced you, and you stole things at school, where would I put my face?"

Grandpa and Grandma immediately pulled Leo's little hand, speaking softly to him, "See, your Mommy is so good to you, and you know to be grateful, such a good boy. Your sister is six years old, how can she still be so naughty."

Mom leaned on Sarah's shoulder, still sniffling softly, but a barely perceptible smirk curled at her lips.

I looked at their cold, accusing faces, feeling my blood practically freeze.

In that suffocating silence, Leo, who had been quiet in Mark's arms, suddenly stretched out his chubby little hand, pointing to the round security camera on the ceiling in the corner of the reception hall, and stammered,

"Lily didn't steal… Look at the camera! Camera knows!"