Page 72 of Ruthless Lullaby

Alexis's smirk widens. "Oh, I'm sorry. Did singing to mafia guys turn you into an etiquette coach?"

Double shit.

How does she know?

I narrow my eyes at my sister, gritting my teeth. "This is not the time," I mouth, turning my head towards her, making sure Mom can’t see me.

But Alexis doesn’t get the memo. Or she simply doesn’t want to. Instead of playing along, a smug smile spreads across her face. "You’re wondering how I know about it, right?” She asks. “Let’s just say, I have my ways, sis. You'd be surprised what people will tell you for the right price."

"What's that even supposed to mean?" I demand, my patience wearing thin.

Alexis leans against the door frame, her voice dropping. "Working for StarDust always had its perks,” she says. She’s referring to the gossip magazine she works for. “Especially when it comes to digging up dirt on people. Even on my own sister."

I feel my blood run hot with anger. "You're spying on me?"

She shrugs, seemingly unbothered by my shock. "It's what I do for a living, remember? And honey, you've been giving me plenty of material lately."

"Alexis, sweetheart," Mom cuts in, her voice strained with concern. "What are you talking about?"

I jump in before Alexis can spew any more poison. "Nothing, Mom. Just Alexis running her mouth, as usual."

But Alexis isn't having it. She moves into the room and leans against the foot of Mom's bed, with a malicious glint in her eyes. "Oh, it's not nothing, Mom,” she says, imitating my voice. “Except that our dear Mindy here has been getting cozy with some seriously shady characters. How do you think your hospital bills are settled?"

I can’t believe that she’s doing this. What kind of heartless monster has my sister turned into? Suddenly, I feel like I want to jump up and slap some sense into her with the back of my hand.

Luckily a nurse enters the room, interrupting our heated exchange. "Excuse me, but I have to ask you to leave the room for a minute. Could you please wait outside while I administer the patient's medication?"

Alexis and I both nod. But as we make our way into the corridor, the tension between us is still palpable. As soon as we're out of earshot, I whirl around to face my sister.

"What the hell are you doing, Alexis? What makes you think you have the right to put Mom through this? How I got the money for her treatment is none of your goddamn business," I hiss, with fury in my voice. "But for your information, I had no other choice. I had to take the singing gig because I lost my job and I sure as hell can't expect any help from you!" My words come out in a nervous rush. I still can’t believe that she would come here on Mom’s birthday and cause such a scene.

My sister gives me a dismissive smirk, her eyes filled with malice. Her pupils are enlarged, indicating that she's under the influence of some substance - most likely the painkillers that have been slowly unraveling her life for years.

"Little Mindy, mommy's favorite girl," she says, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You've always been the golden child, haven't you?"

“What the hell does that have to do with anything?” I shoot back, my hands curling into tight fists at my sides. "You have some nerve, showing up here and causing a scene. When was the last time you bothered to check on Mom? When was the last time you lifted a finger to help our family?" I can no longer control myfrustration. "Even when you took my car the other day, you told me you’re coming to see Mom. But you never showed up and I don’t even want to know where you were. When did you become such an irresponsible, selfish bitch, Alexis?"

I know her response, even before she opens her mouth. "Since you caused the accident that killed Emily, Mindy." Yup. There it is again. The phrase I've heard countless times already. And she’s not done. "First of all, I only used your car for an hour and I parked it exactly where it was, so don't complain." She shrugs, her eyes cold and indifferent. "As for Mom, you and I both know that she’s going to die soon. Cancer is cancer, Mindy. No amount of money or special treatments are going to change that." She leans in closer. "And let's be real, sis. The sooner she kicks the bucket, the sooner we get our hands on her inheritance. I don't know about you, but I could use a little financial boost right about now."

I can’t believe what I’m hearing. I stare at Alexis in horror, unable to comprehend the words that come out of her mouth. Is this cold, calculating monster really my sister? The sweet, innocent girl I used to play with, the one who looked up to me with such love and admiration? I don’t even recognize the woman I’m looking at.

"I… I can't believe what's become of you, Alexis," I stutter, disgusted. "What happened to my sister? The Alexis who cared about something other than money and her next fix?"

Alexis laughs, a harsh, bitter sound that echoes off the hospital walls. "Oh, grow up, Mindy. That Alexis is long gone. You killed her, along with Emily in the accident you caused. This is all your goddamn fault!"

There we are again.

Back to square one.

She takes a step closer, her eyes glinting with a malicious sort of glee. "Get this, Mindy. This is the real world, and in the real world, you do what you have to do to survive. And if that means waiting for our dear mother to finally check out so I can get my hands on my rightful inheritance, so be it."

I feel like I'm going to be sick. I still can't believe what I'm hearing. This cruel, cynical, evil creature my sister has become is worse than anyone I ever encountered.

"You’re a monster,” I whisper, my voice trembling from the shock. “A heartless and selfish monster who has no right to be a part of our family."

"What family? The one you destroyed?"

I don't even bother responding. Even if I did, it wouldn’t change anything. It’s a circular conversation that does not lead anywhere.

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