Aveline
I was so damn confused.
Why did she say, "We might often see each other"?
What the hell did you mean by that, Ruby Daniel Sun?
"Hey, you little rabbit," my sister's voice yanked me out of my spiraling thoughts.
"Sis… why did she say that? 'We might often see each other.'"
She just laughed—light, playful, like the world wasn't burning around us.
"Don't overthink it, will you?"
But I couldn't stop.
And I didn't get the chance to ask again,
because right then—my mother was standing in front of us.
Mireline immediately stepped in front of me, holding my hand tight.
My mother's face… it was stormy. So, so angry.
"Where were you both?" she asked—no, demanded.
I froze. My grip on Mireline's hand tightened. I didn't even dare to look up at her.
Her voice cut through the silence. Loud. Disappointed.
Dangerous.
Then Mireline spoke.
Strong. Shaking. Brave.
"Mom… this is her dream. Let her live it. She's good—no, amazing at dancing. She just won first place. She has a future in this."
My mother snapped.
"Dance? That's the most useless thing ever. Teach her business. Company. After you, she'll have to take over. That's final."
Mireline's voice cracked. Her pain was spilling everywhere.
"No, Mom. She won't. Not like this. Because of you, I gave up my dream.
I wanted to be a lawyer, but I gave it up—only because of you.
I won't let her go through the same."
Then—SLAP.
A loud, echoing slap.
The kind that doesn't just hurt skin—it bruises love.
My breath caught in my throat. Mireline's face turned red—deep, burning red.
A mark blooming across her cheek.
My mother had never hit her before.
But today?
Today she did.
Mireline just laughed—soft, heartbroken, defiant.
"Do whatever you want, Mom. But I won't let her sacrifice her dream.
If she wants to dance, she will dance."
She turned to me—saw my wide, shocked eyes—and smiled gently.
Then, wordlessly, she took my hand and led me to her room.
I didn't resist.
I couldn't.
She shut the door behind us. Locked it.
Then stepped onto the balcony—like she couldn't bear to let me see her break.
She wasn't crying. But I knew…
She was crying without tears.
I stood frozen, chest aching—then moved.
I went to her and wrapped my arms around her from behind.
And I started to cry.
Broken. Loud. Ugly.
"I'm sorry, sis. I'm so sorry," I whispered, sobbing.
"It's my fault. You got slapped because of me. You fought Mom for me.
If I wasn't so stubborn, none of this would've happened."
"I'll give up on dance. I'll study business. I'll do what she wants…"
She turned around then, cupped my face so gently,
like I was something sacred.
"You wouldn't dare, Aveline."
Her voice was low. Fierce. Unshakable.
"You'll live your dream. You'll follow it. I won't let anyone stop you.
Not even Mom. Not even the world."
"You can't give up like I did.
I already made the mistake.
I gave up my soul to keep her happy.
You won't."
"I'm standing right beside you," she whispered.
"I'll protect you. I'll never let anything break you."
"Go. Dance. Make the world see you.
Because now… that's my wish.
And you have to fulfill it."