Chapter 16: She Finally Came Looking for Me

Three months passed after I left California.

My life in New York had settled into a rhythm I had never known before.

Classes kept me busy during the day.

At night, I worked on my research and sometimes stayed late in the library.

Nobody here knew about my family.

Nobody knew I had a sister who had spent years being treated like the center of the universe.

Nobody knew I had once been terrified that I would never be enough.

Here, I was simply Alejandra.

And somehow, that was enough.

Then one Friday afternoon, my professor called me into his office.

He had a folder sitting on his desk.

I think you should look at this.

I opened it.

My stomach dropped.

It was an invitation to present my research at an international student conference in Boston.

They chose your project as one of the finalists.

I stared at him.

You mean I have to present it myself?

He smiled.

That's usually how these things work.

I laughed for the first time that day.

When I left his office, I called Grandma immediately.

She screamed so loudly that I had to pull the phone away from my ear.

I'm proud of you, sweetheart.

Those four words meant more to me than she could ever understand.

That evening, I returned to my apartment and found an unfamiliar number waiting on my phone.

I almost ignored it.

Then another message arrived.

Please call me. It's about Isabela.

My heart tightened.

I didn't want to hear her name.

But something about the message made me pause.

I called.

A man's voice answered.

It was my brother.

Alejandra, I know you don't want to talk to us.

You're right.

I don't.

He was quiet for several seconds.

Isabela left Grandma's house yesterday.

My fingers tightened around the phone.

Where did she go?

We don't know.

Then why are you calling me?

Because she left a note.

My brother swallowed hard.

She said she was going to find you.

A cold feeling settled in my stomach.

I don't want her here.

I know.

His voice sounded different.

For once, there was no accusation in it.

No anger.

No comparison.

Just exhaustion.

She also left something else.

What?

A letter.

He hesitated.

She wrote it for you.

I don't want it.

You should read it.

I almost hung up.

Then he said something that stopped me.

She finally admitted why she did everything.

My breath caught.

What do you mean?

He sighed.

She was afraid you would leave her behind.

I closed my eyes.

That made no sense.

She had everything.

The attention.

The clothes.

The praise.

The love of our parents.

What could she possibly have been afraid of?

My brother continued.

She said everyone always compared you two.

And every time you succeeded, she felt like she was losing something.

I laughed bitterly.

She was the one everyone called the star.

He went silent.

I know.

That was when I realized something.

Isabela hadn't been competing with me because she thought she was better.

She had been competing because she was terrified that one day everyone would finally notice me.

But knowing the reason didn't excuse what she had done.

Not even close.

Did Mom and Dad know?

They know now.

And Santiago?

Another silence.

He's been trying to get in touch with her too.

I frowned.

Why?

Because she was the reason he changed his college plans.

He thought if he stayed close to her, he could protect her.

My chest tightened.

Then I remembered his words.

Every star needs a supporting actor.

He had chosen her.

Not because she was better.

Not because I wasn't enough.

But because he had decided I belonged in the background.

That was his mistake.

Not mine.

My brother said quietly, Alejandra, there is one more thing.

What?

Santiago is coming to New York.

I froze.

Apparently, he found out about your conference.

He wants to see you before you present.

I laughed softly.

Of course he does.

My brother didn't respond.

I looked out the window at the city lights.

Once, hearing that Santiago was coming after me would have made my heart race.

Now, all I felt was tired.

Tell him not to come.

I don't want to see him.

I ended the call.

For a few minutes, I stood completely still.

Then there was a knock at my apartment door.

My heart jumped.

I wasn't expecting anyone.

I walked to the door and looked through the peephole.

My blood ran cold.

Isabela was standing in the hallway.

She looked nothing like the confident girl in the family photos.

Her hair was messy.

Her eyes were swollen from crying.

And she was holding a small envelope in both hands.

I opened the door only halfway.

Why are you here?

She looked at me.

For once, there was no smug smile.

No performance.

No tears designed to win sympathy.

Just fear.

I came to apologize.

I didn't answer.

She held out the envelope.

I wrote everything down because I know you probably won't believe me if I say it.

I looked at the envelope but didn't take it.

Isabela's voice shook.

I thought if you left, everyone would finally belong to me.

She lowered her eyes.

But after you actually left, I realized something.

She swallowed.

You were never taking anything from me.

I was the one who kept hurting you because I was afraid of losing a place I already had.

I stared at her.

And for the first time in my life, my sister wasn't standing in the center of the room.

She was standing in front of me, waiting to be judged.

I finally took the envelope.

But I didn't forgive her.

Not yet.

I simply stepped aside.

Come in.

We need to talk.