Hurting Her Again

"Sierra, you know I'm your mother. Talk to me. What happened?"

Sierra's lip trembled. "It's just… It's Erisia," she sniffled.

Mrs. Wrenford's expression hardened instantly. "Erisia? What did that ungrateful thing do this time? Did she show up? Did she lay hands on you?!"

Sierra shook her head. "No. I didn't see her. But… she posted something. Online."

"She posted something?" Mrs. Wrenford repeated, brows knitting.

"Yes. A video. She said I staged everything… said I threw myself into the pool and that she tried to save me. That I framed her and threatened her. She even said I made everyone hate her. That I'm a hypocrite and a snake…"

She broke down again, sobbing. "But, Mom, I didn't. I swear I didn't. I never hurt her. I never thought of harming her. Why would she say such cruel things?!"

Mrs. Wrenford pulled her close, wrapping her arms around her daughter protectively. "Shh, it's okay. Don't cry over filth like that. She's jealous of you. That's all this is."

Her heart ached watching Sierra cry, and hatred bloomed like wildfire in her chest. If those multiple DNA tests hadn't confirmed that Erisia was their biological daughter, she would've never let her set foot in their house again.

In hindsight, she should have just put the girl in a flat somewhere and sent her a monthly allowance.

Now look. She's hurting her baby.

Again.

First, nearly setting her on fire—"by accident"—and now this?

Enough was enough.

She even dared to post lies on the internet?!

She's grown bold, hasn't she?

Mrs. Wrenford's gaze turned cold.

Let her come back.

Let her try.

She'll be dealt with—harshly.

Sierra slowly pulled back from her mother's arms, her eyes shimmering. "Mom… you believe me, right? You know I'd never do what she accused me of…"

Selena cupped her daughter's cheek again. "Darling, you already know the answer to that. Of course, I believe you. My baby would never do something like that."

She gently brushed Sierra's long, black hair back. "Erisia is the real hypocrite. Don't worry. When your father and brother return from their trip, I'll tell them everything she's done."

She smiled sweetly.

"And then, she'll be punished—properly."

Meanwhile, the person behind all the controversy was lazing around on the couch, scrolling through her phone, watching funny videos while conversing with the system in her head.

It was dark outside, and the curtain had been drawn shut. The light from the ceiling reflected off all corners of the room. She had just finished eating dinner, and one of the nurses had helped her send someone to get new casual clothes for her since she would be discharged tomorrow afternoon.

A knock came at the door, and it opened. The nurse who had come in the morning and helped Erisia keep the card that Roy left behind walked in with two paper bags.

Rita placed the bags on the table in front of the couch and smiled at Erisia. "You're lucky. The small boutique at the other end of Second Street is discounting its clothes. So, Gina bought you cool, stylish outfits at half the price!"

Erisia had already placed her phone down, and when she heard Rita's words, she raised a brow. "Stylish outfits? I thought I said casual clothes. Like hoodies—"

Rita waved her off and plopped down beside her, grabbing one of the bags. "Yeah, Gina said she bought you a cropped hoodie." She pulled out a black, long-sleeved thick hoodie that would stay above the navel when worn.

Erisia sighed. "I wanted a normal hoodie, but whatever. I guess that's what I get for not getting it myself." She glanced at the bags. "I just hope there's at least one normal piece of clothing in there because I'm still a patient, which you, as a nurse, are supposed to know."

Rita laughed. "Yeah, right. Not working. Check this out." She grinned as she brought out a black crop top with a fitted body and long lace sleeves, featuring a sweetheart neckline and a fitted, ruched bodice that hugs the figure.

Rita squealed. "This is so sexy! You're going to look so good in this with the low-waist jeans in there!"

"Low-waist jeans? You know what?" Erisia stood up, pulling Rita up with her. "Thank you very much. You can take your leave now." She pushed her toward the door. "Please leave. Come on—go, go, go."

"Hey, come on! Erisia!"

"No. Thank you so much! Bye!" With that, she pulled open the door, pushed her out, and locked it.

Sighing, she rested against the door, walked to the table, and poured the contents of the bags on it. Rummaging through them, she saw a black bucket hat, one other type of crop top and oversized jeans, one corset top, a white oversized T-shirt, and a sweater outfit.

Erisia shook her head and packed the clothes back into the bag before sitting back on the couch.

[Are the clothes not to your satisfaction? Based on what I got from the internet, these types of clothes are what young people like you wear.]

Erisia chuckled. "Yeah, I know. I wore them a lot in my last life. Just wanted to wear something cool and casual."

[I see. So what are your plans after you get discharged tomorrow?]

"Tomorrow? First, I will call the good Samaritan who saved me, inform him that I've been discharged, and thank him. Then I will buy a cat, cat food, and go back to the Wrenford mansion."

[You will buy a cat?]

"Yes. Remember in the plot, in the first few weeks after Erisia arrived at the Wrenfords, Sierra lied that her cat bit her, so they locked it in the basement store—and it died? Well, I'll be getting back at them."

[Then I will be going off. Call me if you need me. Goodnight, Erisia.]

"Right. Night," Erisia said as she picked up her phone and continued reading the comments under her post.

@ToxicButTrue:

Erisia, you've got some serious guts and I respect that. That video? ICONIC. The Wrenford family and the whole internet owe you an apology right now. 🔥💅

@HardTruthsBabe:

Finally, someone who isn't afraid to drop receipts AND call people out with style.

✦ Erisia's Replies:

@ErisiaWrenford → @ToxicTrue:

Thanks. Hope they choke on their apology though. It would be fun to watch.

@ErisiaWrenford → @NothisBabe:

Thanks. I'll be doing that a lot more.

—•—

Huge thank you to @Glorious_7 and @Arianna Sawyer for the amazing reviews! 💖

I seriously appreciate you both for taking the time to read, comment, and vote—it genuinely brings a smile to my face every time I see your names pop up. Thank you so much for the support!