Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years until the day Stephanie turned eighteen. It had been a long and arduous journey for Kimberly, who had spent eight years desperately searching for evidence to prove Stephanie’s guilt in their father’s murder.

“I can’t believe that after all these years, I still haven’t found any proof that Stephanie really killed Dad,” Kimberly soliloquized, while cleaning up her room with her mother, Elena.

“Jeez, Kimberly, all this stuff is old. You should either give it away or we’ll just burn it,” Elena suggested as she tossed the old items out.

“Be careful with that,” Kimberly exclaimed as her mom picked up her camera.

“You don’t need it anymore, and I doubt it’s in good condition. You haven’t used it in years,” Elena remarked.

“Mum, my camera is still good. I just kept it in my drawer because I was too consumed with trying to figure out who killed Dad. Funny enough, I still haven’t found any concrete evidence to confirm Stephanie’s guilt, so she can face the consequences,” Kimberly explained, reaching out her hand to retrieve the camera from her mother.

“Alright, I’ll be back soon. I think I left my phone in my room, and it’s been over two hours. I’m sure I have tons of messages and missed calls,” Elena said as she exited the room.

Kimberly walked over to her bed and turned on the camera. However, she discovered that the memory was already full. She decided to watch the videos before deleting them. As she scrolled through the recordings, she stumbled upon the last video. It captured the moment she entered the kitchen, placing the camera on the refrigerator to grab a drink. Stephanie entered shortly after, and Kimberly left the camera behind. A few minutes later, a mysterious woman walked in and sprinkled something into the coffee that Stephanie had made. The camera managed to capture the stranger’s face when she turned around. Kimberly pressed the pause button, zoomed in on the image, and to her astonishment, it was Aunt Tessa.

“Oh God, so it was Aunt Tessa who killed Dad. She mixed something in the coffee that Stephanie gave him. Oh God,” Kimberly exclaimed, her hands trembling as she dropped the camera onto the bed.

Elena entered the room and immediately noticed Kimberly’s red, tear-filled eyes and trembling hands and lips. Concerned, she asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Was Aunt Tessa here on the day Stephanie turned ten?” Kimberly asked, her voice quivering.

Elena was taken aback by her daughter mentioning her dad’s sister after such a long time. She hesitated before responding, “She was here, but I made sure she left because I didn’t want any of you or your dad to have any contact with her.”

“I need answers, Mother,” Kimberly shouted, her emotions overflowing and causing Elena to flinch.

Elena took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. “She is evil and practices black magic. Your dad was only trying to protect all of you, which is why he kept her away.”

“But she never left, Mother. She stayed behind, and she actually killed Dad,” Kimberly said, tears streaming down her face.

“What do you mean? The autopsy results showed he was poisoned. Your dad wouldn’t have taken anything from Tessa,” Elena replied, confusion etched on her face.

“She didn’t need him to consume anything. She had her ways. On the night of Dad’s death, I walked into the kitchen with my camera, completely forgetting I left it on the refrigerator. It was recording when Stephanie left the kitchen. Tessa somehow entered, poured something into the coffee Stephanie made for Dad, and that’s what killed him. Tessa killed Dad, not Stephanie,” Kimberly explained, her voice quivering as she handed the camera to her mother to watch the video.

Elena was left speechless after watching the footage. She realized that she had condemned her own daughter without a fair trial, driven by pain and hatred. Trembling, she muttered, “All these years, my sister has been innocent. We allowed pain and hate to blind our judgment. We turned our backs on Stephanie, inflicting so much pain and suffering upon her, all because of Aunt Tessa’s actions. We denied her education, freedom, basic necessities, and most importantly, our love and support. We abandoned my sister for eight long years. Our actions are unforgivable.”

Tears streaming down her face, Kimberly cried, “I swear, I am going to make Tessa pay. She will experience the same pain she made my innocent daughter endure.”

“Why, Aunt Tessa? Why did you choose Stephanie, who was just a ten-year-old child? We have become monsters in her eyes. Oh, my own sister,” Kimberly lamented.

She approached her mother, gently wiping away her tears, and said, “We need to regain Stephanie’s trust. We have committed unspeakable acts against her. She might never fully accept us again, but we have to try.”

Kimberly hugged her mother tightly, providing comfort and reassurance, as she whispered, “We have to mend the damage we’ve caused. Stephanie deserves our love and support, no matter what.”

Kimberly led her mom to her room, ensuring she could rest. As she descended to the living room, she encountered Stephanie entering.

“Stephanie,” Kimberly called out, surprised to see her sister and mustering her emotions.

Stephanie paused and glanced at Kimberly, her expression filled with surprise. “What now?” she asked curtly.

“Happy birthday, Stephanie. You’re eighteen today,” Kimberly said, holding back her tears. She noticed how lean Stephanie had become, realizing the pain she had been enduring. It was something Kimberly had failed to see all those years, blinded by her desire for revenge—an unjust vendetta.

“I know I’m eighteen,” Stephanie replied nonchalantly.

“I was going to prepare your favorite meal and give you your birthday gift,” Kimberly offered.

“Thanks, but no thanks. I’m not interested,” Stephanie replied dismissively and walked straight to her room.

Kimberly collapsed onto the couch, crying uncontrollably. She realized that Stephanie was no longer the sister she once knew, changed and withdrawn, and they were to blame for it all.

Elena descended the stairs and approached Kimberly, concerned. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

“I don’t know my sister anymore. She’s changed. She may still look beautiful, but she’s become so frail. Her eyes, once so full of life, now carry nothing but bitterness. Her eyes alone speak volumes,” Kimberly expressed through her tears.

Elena embraced Kimberly tightly, whispering softly, “You haven’t lost your sister; she’s still here with you, with us.”

* * *

Stephanie lay on her bed, contemplating the unusual birthday greeting and the offer of her favorite meal. “Why would they even wish me a happy birthday and want to celebrate with me? This is outrageous; something is definitely wrong,” Stephanie thought to herself.

“Who’s there?” Stephanie called out when she heard a knock at her door. Receiving no response, she walked over and opened the door to find Elena and Kimberly standing outside.

“What are you both doing here?” Stephanie demanded, carelessly returning to her bed and lying down.

“Mum wanted to wish you a happy birthday,” Kimberly explained.

“Is that all?” Stephanie asked, sounding detached.

“And we have gifts for you too,” Kimberly added, placing the presents on Stephanie’s table.

“You can leave,” Stephanie dismissed them.

“Okay, but we haven’t even celebrated your birthday with you,” Elena apologized.

“I’ve lived for eight years without the love of my parents or my only sister. So, what makes you think I need a birthday celebration now? I don’t know what you both are up to, but don’t push your luck too far, because it won’t work,” Stephanie asserted.

“Stephanie, we are only…” Kimberly tried to explain.

“Not another word, Kimberly, or I’ll silence you permanently,” Stephanie interrupted.

“Stephanie, you have…” Elena attempted to speak.

“That includes you, Elena. I don’t want to hear anything from you either. Do you understand? Now get out of my room,” Stephanie commanded.

Elena and Kimberly began to walk away when Stephanie called them back.

“Don’t look so excited. I only called you back to pick up the trash you brought into my room. Otherwise, I’ll dispose of them myself in the trash bin where they belong,” Stephanie sneered.

Kimberly took the presents as she and Elena left Stephanie’s room, feeling humbled and remorseful. Stephanie couldn’t help but feel resentment towards them. The same people who had made her life miserable for eight long years were now attempting to celebrate with her. What was there to celebrate with them? Absolutely nothing.

As tears streamed down her face, Stephanie whispered to herself, ‘What impudence! What gave them the audacity to come to my room and offer gifts when, for eight years, they denied me everything a little girl should never be deprived of at such a tender age? I hate you, Kimberly and Elena. I will never call you Mom because you lost that right so many years ago.'”

Feeling a mix of anger and sorrow, Stephanie questioned their motives. It was difficult for her to comprehend why they would suddenly show up, expecting her to welcome them with open arms after all the pain they had inflicted upon her. The wounds ran deep, and their sudden gestures of kindness felt hollow.

She wiped away her tears, trying to regain composure. Thoughts swirled in her mind as she reflected on the past. The torment she endured, the loneliness she faced, and the years of being unjustly accused had left scars that seemed impossible to heal.