Chapter 13: Kathlyn’s Mockery
Kourtney turned around and caught sight of Kathlyn, the home-wrecker, approaching her from the living room. She noticed a hint of surprise flash on her little sister’s face. However, it quickly disappeared as her expression turned into a menacing smirk.
“Kourtney, I didn’t expect to see you here.” She heard the annoyingly coquettish voice of Kathlyn once again. Anger and irritation started brewing within her.
“I live here, so where else should I be?” She replied with a sneer.
Kathlyn was taken aback for a moment and seemed disturbed. She has known Kourtney since birth, and she understood her all too well.
She knew that Kourtney was the type of person who would move out and probably cut ties with their family after what had happened today. After all, she had snatched her fiance, Brandon, and their parents had supported the affair, even giving their blessings for Kathlyn to marry him in Kourtney’s place.
It seems she had underestimated Kourtney’s resilience and determination. Deep down, she had hoped Kourtney would leave and sever ties with them, making it easier for her and Brandon to move forward without interference. So why is Kourtney still here?
‘Or maybe she came back to take out her luggage?’ Kathlyn thought, hopefully. She quickly put on a fake smile to hide the rising resentment in her heart.
“I was just concerned, Sis, that’s all.”
“Concerned about what exactly? That I’m not looking miserable and wallowing in self-pity after you stole my fiance?”
Kourtney could see through Kathlyn like the palm of her hands. She could tell when her so-called sister was being fake! They used to be really close and bonded so well as sisters should be in their younger days. They were only one year apart, and people saw them as twins.
But it all came crashing down after that one incident in high school when Kathlyn stabbed her in the back. They lived like strangers now in the same house, and no one cared. Not even their parents tried to make them settle their differences.
Kathlyn’s eyes narrowed with contempt, her true colors starting to show.
“Brandon and I are in love. I didn’t steal him from anyone. You have to understand that, Sis.”
“In love? More like you pursued him shamelessly until he caved in,” Kourtney scoffed, her frustration with her sister’s audacity growing.Material © of NôvelDrama.Org.
“Admit it. You’ve always been obsessed with stealing everything I have, including my men! Just like you did with Jerome. Isn’t it?” Kourtney added, her disgust for Kathlyn radiating in every word.
Jerome Hawkins was their high school classmate and Kourtney’s first crush. During senior year, they were on talking terms and almost started dating before Kathlyn went behind her back, telling Jerome and their other classmates lies about her. And then, he began to avoid her like a plague.
Kourtney would never have guessed that her beloved little sister was the culprit behind those horrible rumors that almost ruined her good reputation until Kathlyn openly started dating her crush.
She’d been so heartbroken back then, and when she told their parents about it, they asked her to let go of the matter, claiming Kathlyn was still a child who could do childish things. They didn’t even bother to scold her at all.
Thinking about it now, Kourtney felt so bitter in her heart. Has there ever been a time when their parents stood up for her and protected her from Kathlyn’s actions?
It seemed that her sister always got away with everything, no matter how evil and sinister it was. To them, Kathlyn was the perfect daughter who could do no wrong in their eyes. And Kourtney was left to deal with the consequences on her own.
“Oh, please, Kourt! You and Brandon were never a good match. He already told you he was bored with you, and he found something more exciting in me. The same thing happened with Jerome. It’s not my fault they both chose me over you.”
Kourtney felt her temper flaring up, but she took a deep breath, reminding herself not to let Kathlyn provoke her. She didn’t want to waste her time with Kathlyn anymore as she was having a banging headache from all the emotional torture she’d been through today.
“Great, I’m happy they both chose you. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go to my room. I’m really tired from a very long day.” She turned away and was about to start heading up the staircase, but Kathlyn was quick to grasp her arm.
“Brandon has always liked me from the start. You were just too blind to see it. His love for me is stronger than whatever he felt for you. You need to accept that.”
“Yes, Kathlyn. I don’t care anymore. I already accepted it,” Kourtney replied, rolling back her eyes in boredom. She knew Kathlyn was trying so hard to get under her skin, and she was not going to give the b*tch that satisfaction.
“So, can you let go of me now? I want to rest in my room,” Kourtney said firmly and tried to shake her arm off Kathlyn’s grip, but she wouldn’t budge.
“Well, I just wanted to tell you that Brandon and I are going to have a family of our own. I guess Mum and Dad already told you. I’m carrying his child,” Kathlyn declared while she caressed her stomach gently and lovingly in a bid to upset Kourtney even more.
Kourtney’s heart clenched at the painful reminder. She had known about it from their parents, but hearing it from Kathlyn directly stung even more. It was a bitter reminder of the betrayal she had endured from her sister and the man she had loved and cherished for three years.
She felt her anger flare at the unfairness of it all. No matter their past differences, she had always been supportive and loving to Kathlyn like a big sister should, but in the end, it had all been for nothing.
‘Why does she hate me so much and like to see me suffer?’ Kourtney thought painfully.
Even now, Kathlyn had the nerve to use her pregnancy as a weapon to hurt her further, purposely rubbing it in her face. But she refused to let Kathlyn see her pain and misery. She straightened her posture, a calm resolve in her eyes.
“Congratulations, I’m happy for you,” she said coolly, her voice steady. “Have your family with Brandon. You both deserve each other, to be honest.”
“Why are you pretending to be happy for me when you’re not, Sis? I know you probably wish me and my child to disappear so you can be with Brandon again,” Kathlyn mocked.
“Ah… In your dreams! I’ll never accept Brandon back, even if he comes crawling to me on all fours like a dog.” Kourtney sneered with disgust. “You don’t have to worry, Kathlyn. Brandon is yours now, and I never go back to my abandoned trash or vomit. You should know that by now!”
Kathlyn’s eyes widened in surprise at her fierce response. It was almost like Kourtney had changed to a different, no longer the meek and hurt girl she saw a few hours ago.
The realization that her attempts to provoke Kourtney were failing fueled Kathlyn’s frustration, realizing she didn’t get the sad reaction she wanted. She also noticed how Kourtney indeed didn’t seem affected… at all.
‘Why is it that she doesn’t seem to care? Why isn’t she bitter about it? Wasn’t Brandon the love of her life for three good years?’ Kathlyn thought bitterly.
And what was even more surprising to her was that Kourtney looked okay, maybe even brighter than she was before. Kathlyn had been expecting her to look tattered and miserable, at least.
“You’re just trying to act tough, but I know the truth,” Kathlyn snapped, her voice laced with bitterness as she tried to dismiss Kourtney’s words. “You can’t fool me, Kourtney. You’re still in love with Brandon, and you’re just putting on a brave face.”L
Kourtney felt her anger rising again, but she refused to let Kathlyn’s taunts get to her. She scoffed and shook her head, her eyes burning with determination.
“You’re wrong. Actually, I should be thanking you, Kathlyn. Thank you for showing me the kind of person he really is and freeing me from that piece of trash. He was never worthy of me in the first place, so now you can have him, Kathlyn. He’s all yours for all I care.”
Kathlyn’s eyes narrowed in confusion and frustration. She couldn’t fathom how Kourtney had seemingly changed overnight. She was used to seeing the vulnerable, emotional girl who would cry over the slightest things, and talk more of being dumped by her beloved fiance.
This new version of Kourtney was throwing her off balance. She couldn’t stand being undermined by Kourtney, especially when she believed she had won a great victory by stealing Brandon away.
‘How could she have moved on so quickly in less than a day? It’s impossible!’ Kathlyn thought.
She couldn’t bear the thought that Kourtney might have moved already from the man who had once meant the entire world to her. And then Kourtney was still here. She didn’t leave or disappear as Kathlyn had expected, and that bothered her deeply.
Kathlyn’s displeasure mounted as she thought, ‘Why are you acting like this? You’re supposed to be devastated to see me with Brandon, but you’re just so calm about it. Why aren’t you falling apart? Why? Did I miss something?’