Chapter 3

"Madison, can't you speak properly? Jessica is your sister. Can't you encourage her more?"

"I am encouraging her."

I looked up, my expression innocent.

"I told her to work hard. Isn't that encouragement?"

The atmosphere was tense.

Nathan quickly tried to smooth things over:

"Alright, alright, it's Jessica's birthday today. Let's not talk about this. Come on, let's eat. The food smells amazing."

The meal was very quiet, with only the soft sound of cutlery hitting plates.

I kept my head down eating while counting the time in my mind.

Seven thirty-five.

"I need to take a call."

I picked up my phone and walked toward the balcony.

"You have work this late?"

My mother muttered behind me.

On the balcony, I opened my phone's front camera and adjusted the angle to make sure I could see the glass door behind me through the screen.

Seven forty.

The glass door was gently pushed open, and a figure quietly walked in.

It was Jessica. She was holding the plastic base of the cake box with the remaining half of the cake on it.

She tiptoed in like a cat, approaching.

I stared at my phone screen, calculating the distance.

Three steps. Two steps. One step.

Just before her hand touched my shoulder, I suddenly turned around and swung my hand—

"Ah!"

The entire cake smashed onto Jessica's face!

Pink frosting, strawberry sauce, chocolate chips—all over her face, her hair, her dress, everywhere.

She froze completely.

"Wah wah wah, Madison—I just wanted to play a joke—"

Tears streamed down Jessica's face.

"Jessica!"

My mother screamed and rushed over.

Nathan followed.

"Madison! What are you doing!"

My mother pushed me aside and frantically wiped the frosting off Jessica's face.

I immediately stepped back two paces, leaning against the railing with my hand clutching my chest. My breathing was rapid, my face pale.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

My voice trembled.

"I didn't mean to... I've been followed recently. When someone approaches me from behind, it's a reflex..."

"What do you mean, followed?" Nathan frowned.

"An... an interviewee's family member."

I spoke incoherently.

"He said my report was inaccurate and ruined his family business... He's been following me for days. Yesterday he cornered me downstairs... I just felt someone behind me. I was terrified. I really..."

I covered my face, my shoulders starting to shake.

Actually, I was hiding my face to suppress my laughter.

"Why didn't you say so earlier?" My mother's voice softened a bit but still carried anger.

"But you still shouldn't treat your sister like this. Look, you ruined her new dress!"

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry, Jessica..."

I squeezed out a few tears and cried while reaching for Jessica's hand.

"I'll buy you a new one, ten new ones... I really didn't mean it. I was so scared..."

She was still crying, but the sobs were quieter.

Then the phone rang.

I looked up at Jessica. Her face was still covered in frosting, and my mother was frantically wiping it off.

Nathan stood to the side, his brow furrowed.

After hanging up the call, I said with a crying voice:

"The station notified me. I have to go online now... I'm sorry, Mom. I'm sorry, Jessica. I'll explain everything to you later..."