She’s Back, and Hell’s Coming with Her novel Chapter 8

In truth, Celine fit in with them far more naturally. She truly seemed like part of the family.

Sabrina’s memories of her former life had taught her a brutal lesson: family bonds were nothing but a sweet-tasting poison, corroding her from the inside out.

Sommer reached for Celine’s hand, her eyes filled with pride as she looked at her daughter. Then she turned to Sabrina, her voice gentle and warm, her smile unfaltering.

“Sabrina, you and Celine are both my daughters. You’re sisters now, so you must look out for each other. And since you’re the elder, you should be patient with your little sister. She’s grown up here with us, and I worry she might feel a bit overwhelmed. I hope you’ll understand.”

There it was again—those same words.

Sabrina remembered how, back then, she’d blamed herself. She’d thought her sudden appearance had left Celine in an awkward position.

How utterly ridiculous.

If it hadn’t been for that DNA test, she might have doubted she was even Sommer’s flesh and blood.

“What’s wrong with her, anyway? Is she sick or disabled that I have to tiptoe around her?”

Sommer’s smile froze, caught off guard by Sabrina’s bluntness. Someone with her poise couldn’t have predicted hearing such words.

Desmond, too, was stunned by his country-bred daughter’s attitude.

Martha had been shocked more times than she could count that day. She kept to the background, doing her best to be invisible.

Suddenly, the air in the living room turned glacial.

Celine stepped forward to smooth things over, her tone soft as she leaned in toward Sommer, trying to sound sweet and considerate.

“Mom, I’m not a little kid anymore. I don’t need Sabrina to coddle me. She’s just come home. We should take care of each other as sisters.”

She glanced at Sabrina, her eyes shimmering with a wounded innocence.

“Please don’t be upset, Sabrina. It’s my fault… Mom didn’t mean anything by it.”

Sommer’s eyes finally softened. She tapped Celine’s forehead, indulgent and loving. “You silly girl!”

“Yes, yes, you two should look out for each other.”

Desmond, who’d been silent this whole time, finally spoke. His gaze landed on Sabrina.

“All right, we’re family now. If anything’s bothering you, you can always come to us.”

Back then, she’d been overjoyed. She’d never had such a beautiful room; everything was awash in pastel pinks, like something out of a TV show.

And now, it belonged to her. She’d been so grateful to every member of the Sutton family, convinced she must have done countless good deeds in a past life to deserve such a loving home. She’d been moved by every little thing her parents prepared for her, amazed they didn’t mind her country background.

Now, she barely glanced around, showing little interest or delight.

Martha hesitated, then asked quietly, “Sabrina, is there anything else you need?”

Need? There was so much she needed. More than the Suttons could ever give her.

Sabrina pulled her gaze away. “What about the other rooms? Can I take a look?”

“Of course, of course! I’d be happy to show you.”

Martha was delighted. She thought Sabrina wanted to get to know her new home.

She became the perfect tour guide, walking Sabrina through every corner of the Sutton estate, pointing out details as if she might miss something essential. She even gave an enthusiastic introduction to the dogs’ quarters.

Martha’s hope was simple: that Sabrina might, at last, find her place among the Suttons.