Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 832

Madge's expression remained calm and unruffled, but Kathleen only grew more agitated at her composure.

Kathleen's icy stare was a tangled knot of anger and envy, her emotions barely contained. Suddenly, she let out a cold, sharp laugh.

Moonlight washed over her face, lending her features a ghastly pallor. With her crimson coat thrown over her shoulders, she looked almost spectral-like a vengeful spirit from an old legend.

Madge's eyes flickered with confusion.

"Sister, you know, I've always envied you-envied the way Mom and Dad doted on you, envied how Teague always looked out for you. No matter where you went, you were always the center of attention, the one everyone admired."

"Standing next to you, I always felt like the ugly duckling beside a swan. But I'm family too, aren't I?"

Madge frowned and stepped forward, reaching out to steady her. "Kathleen... you've had too much to drink."

But Kathleen jerked away, shoving Madge's hand aside. "Don't touch me! Don't pretend to care. You're probably laughing at me inside, aren't you?"

"I'm not "

"Ever since we were kids, as long as you were there, Mom and Dad's eyes never left you. You were all they could see. Why?" Kathleen suddenly spun around and seized Madge by the shoulders, her grip growing tighter with every word.

—everything was fine, peaceful, normal. Why did you have to

You've got everything. So why isn't

to a fever pitch, all her years

putting some space between

me as well as I know you. You didn't show up tonight just to have New Year's Eve dinner with Mom

Kathleen hesitated.

pressed on, her

you're pretending to be drunk,

it's just a drunken impulse. Since we both know exactly what we're dealing with, why not

you won't have to keep pretending.

her lips. "After all these years, you really haven't changed at

perceptive. Still so

honest, let's not mince words." Kathleen's drunken air vanished, her eyes suddenly clear and sharp as

here tonight—and brought Teague along-because I wanted to see what's really going on between you

Did you find what you were

"You, I can't quite read. But Teague?

not over you. Don't bother denying it—I'm not blind, I can