69: Chapter 69

Chapter 69

Amidst her conflicting mood, she also blamed herself for being weak, "Why are you so weak, Kate? How could you let your own sister trample all over your dignity like this? How long will  you tolerate her?"0

Kate realized that Erin's greediness knew no bounds and nothing could satiate it. She continued to  demand for more, using their mother's life as a threat that she would constantly hold over Kate's head. The only thing that Kate could think of that would combat Erin's cruelty was for Kate to call their mother herself.

Kate quickly wiped her tears away. She gathered her courage and picked up her phone. She searched for her mother's contact information and gave her a call.

Each time she heard a beep on the phone, her heartbeat would accelerate and beat harder like a drum to the point that she could actually hear her own heartbeat. 

After a few beeps, the line was finally connected, and Kate almost jumped out of fright when she heard her mother's voice. 

—

"Good morning, dear, what's wrong? Why are you calling me?" Hilda asked worriedly over the phone. 

Kate felt disheartened as the first conversation they had in a long time was filled with her mother's worry. Sometimes Kate wished she could have a light conversation about random events happening in life or for them to even simply talk about the latest celebrity gossip, anything that didn't involve whether Kate was doing okay or if something was wrong with her or Erin.

Unfortunately, Kate wasn't close to her mother. They became distant after Kate willingly reported what her father, the man of the house, did, which got him arrested and thrown in jail for a few months, something that ultimately led to her parents' divorce.

Her Dad disappeared after the divorce, and her Mom became a single mother, she had to work to care for two daughters as the sole breadwinner of their household. 

Though she never blamed Kate for what she had done that ultimately led to the breaking of their family, Kate could still feel the resentment coming from her mother, and her blatant favoritism toward Erin. 

It was also why she went with Matt when he left their small town as soon as they graduated high school. Kate felt so much better after she went to university in another state far from her family. 

Kate clenched her fist, trying to gather enough courage to speak with her mother despite the stress she was under right now.

But before that, she had to ensure that her mother wasn't in terrible health.

"Hey mom, are you doing okay these days?"

"Ah, yes, I'm doing okay," Hilda replied. "I take my medication regularly, don't worry."

"Mhm, that's good, because I… I wanted to tell you something," Kate said, preparing her mother before she dropped the bomb about Erin's behavior.

"Oh no, is it about Erin again?" Hilda guessed. "Erin called me last night. She told me that you had a fight with her again because you insulted her for being unemployed."

"Look, Kate, I know that she's currently unemployed, just like your husband. But they are trying hard to find a job, right?" Hilda said.

"…" Kate was left in utter shock when she heard this. How many lies had Erin whispered into their ill mother's ear?

"What did she tell you last night, Mom?" Kate asked. 

"Well, she was with Matt last night. I heard them panting, and they said they were doing some late night exercises because they had to keep their bodies in shape. They said everyone in LA has an attractive body, so it will help their chances of finding a good job," Hilda replied. She seemed completely clueless about what happened between Erin and Matt last night. "Erin said that she was substituting for you in doing house chores for Matt, since you're too busy at work."

"…"

"So please, Kate, don't be too harsh on your sister. She is trying her best," Hilda said in a gentle voice, like a mother who was genuinely worried about her daughters, but her words cut Kate deep because she knew that her mother was only concerned about Erin and not about her. 

In Hilda's mind, Kate was that dependable daughter, the breadwinner for the entire family. She had a good job and a good husband, so Kate wasn't supposed to be sad because she always had everything under control, right?

"Anyway, what did you want to talk about, dear?" Hilda asked. "I'm all ears."

"Nothing, it's nothing, Mom," Kate replied weakly. "I just want to make sure that you're in good health."

"Oh, don't worry, I'm recovering these days," Hilda said. "It's just… Please don't do anything to your poor sister. My heart can't handle it whenever I hear about you two fighting. I thought I'd die when I got hospitalized a few days ago because Erin told me that you beat her up with a baseball bat."

Kate bit her lower lip, resisting the urge to tell her motherthe truth, "It's just a misunderstanding, Mom. I'll hang up now, I have things to do."

"Okay, good luck at work, dear."

Beep.

—

Kate dropped her phone and leaned against the chair, staring at the ceiling with a depreciating smile.

"Ah, this sucks," Kate murmured. "The only person I treasured in this world is not on my side. With whom am I supposed to share my worry? How can I get rid of Erin without hurting my Mom?"

This whole thing was like a wake-up slap for Kate. 

If she kept babying Erin like this, Erin would turn into a monster that would harm everyone around her.

Kate loved her sister so much. She was dear to her.

But Kate also had her priority. So she had to get rid of Erin no matter what.

'Then who can help me to take her down?' Kate wondered as she subconsciously rubbed her belly, feeling the baby that had become her top priority right now. 

A man's face flashed in Kate's mind as she was searching for a solution. 

Henry was the only one who could help her get rid of Erin before she could ruin everyone's life with her greediness.

He had all the power and charm to fool Erin, and she couldn't wait to kick her sister out of her and her mother's life, knowing that Erin was nothing but a parasite in her family. 

But she didn't know what was on Henry's mind. He acted so sweet and reliable last night but still slept with another woman. 

Kate doubted that he would help her because Henry looked like the type of man that would get on his knees for a beautiful woman, and she had to admit that Erin was the cute girl type with an overly sweet character that most men liked. 

"I still have to try," Kate said as a determined look crossed her face.  She would do everything in her power to get rid of her evil sister for the sake of her mother and the child growing in her womb. "I don't know if it will work or not, but I will ask him for help after this."

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