Scarlett Mila Marino

I'm fidgeting with my dress. Smoothing down the fabric for the third time in the last minute. I can feel Rowan's eyes on me. He hasn't said much, but I know what he's thinking. I'm nervous, more nervous than I want to admit. And it's ridiculous. I'm just meeting Judie after all. My sister. The woman who used to braid my hair and sneak sweets into our room when we were kids.

I haven't seen her in months.

She's always traveling, always on the move because of her husbands work. And while we've exchanged letters and quick messages here and there, we haven't had the time to talk, not like we used to.
I haven't told her that dad is...dead. And that I killed him.
That Anthony died.
She doesn't know any of it.
I guess a part of me is worried she'll hate me for it.

"Stop fidgeting." Rowan's deep voice cuts through the silence. I glance his way in the car.

"I'm not fidgeting." I lie, though I know he doesn't believe me.

He raises an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching into that almost smile of his. "You've been adjusting your dress for the past ten minutes now."

I roll my eyes, but I can't help the small smile tugging at my lips. "Fine...maybe I'm a little nervous." I admit.

"She's your sister, sweetheart. You don't have to worry." He says trying to calm me down. His hand slowly grabs mine. His fingers locking between mine.

"I know that," I sigh, glancing out the window as we approach her house. "It's just...it's been a long time. And she doesn't know about dad yet, what if she gets mad at me...or worse, hates me..."

"Mila." Rowan cuts me off. "You'll be fine, I promise."

I take a deep breath, nodding. He's right, of course. I'm overthinking it, like I always do. But it's hard not to.

When we arrive we step out and knock on the door. A nice lady opens it. "Welcome Mr and Mrs Marino, step right in." She says.

Judie spots us. She looks the same as always, polished, elegant, her dark hair pulled back in a neat twist.

"Scarlett!" Judie runs up, pulling me into a tight hug. "It's been forever!" She adds.

I hug her back, smiling. I've missed her. Missed talking to her. "You're always off traveling." I say.

Judie laughs, pulling back to look at me. "I knowww! I'm sorry little one. I've missed you so much." She says, then greeting Rowan with a nod.
"Rowan, good seeing you again." She says.

He nods back. "Judie."
His expression neutral as always, though I can tell he's being polite in his own way.

We all sit down by the dining table. The food already ready for us. It's just us three today. I'm guessing her husband is off doing more business.

"So." Judie starts turning to me. "Tell me everything, how have you been?" She asks exited.

I take a bite of my food, relaxing a little. "We're doing really great." I say glancing at Rowan.
His eyes making me blush.

"I can see that, you're shining, Scar." Judie says.

"Rowan you're giving her a great time, and it shows." Judie says and I kick her form under the table embarrassed.

"Auch!" Judie shouts, rubbing her leg where I just kicked her.

"My wife is always shining." Rowan

"Awww. You two are the cutest." Judie says. I roll my eyes. She's always been a romantic. She never got that herself, since she was arranged a marriage with an older man. But she's always wanted me to have the love she couldn't have.

***

We keep talking for about an hour. We've moved over to the couches, getting more comfortable. And it's just like before. As if we saw each other yesterday.

When Rowan leaves to take some fresh air on the balcony I take my chance to tell her.

I take a deep breath. "Judie, I need to tell you something." I begin.

Her expression immediately turns serious. "What is it?" She asks, leaning closer to me.

I look down on my hands, then force myself to meet her gaze. "It's about dad."

For a second her face goes blank, then she frowns. "What about him?"

I hesitate. She's always had a better relationship with him. He's always been her favorite, even if she hated him, he was still her dad.
"He's dead, Judie."

The silence that follows is so thick, I can barley breathe. Judie just stares at me, her eyes wide, like she didn't hear me correctly.

"What?" She finally whispers.

"He died not so long ago." I say quietly.
"I didn't know how to tell you. I didn't want to tell you over text." I add.

Her face doesn't change, but I can see the storm of emotions in her eyes. It's not grief, not the way it usually is when you loose a parent, but it's something. Shock. Anger maybe.

"How?" She asks after a long moment.

Oh god here we go.

"I...I killed him."
I can't break down, not now. I have to explain. I have to make her understand.
"It wasn't supposed to happen like that, I had no choice. I swear. He...he was going to shoot me, and Anthony...god he...he..." I let the tears fall now. I can't hold them any longer.

Her silence is terrifying me.

"Oh dear, is Anthony..." she doesn't ask the question but I nod anyway, knowing what she meant.

"Oh, Scar I'm so sorry." She wraps her arms around me.

"Aren't you mad? I didn't know how you'd feel." I say digging my face in her chest. She's been more of a mom to me than my actual mom my whole life.

"Mad?" Judie asks. "Scarlett, I hated that man. He deserved it after everything he put us through."

I nod agreeing. Judie lets out a long breath. Then plants a gentle kiss on top of my head. "It's weird, though, isn't it? I mean, he's just gone." She says.

"Yeah." I murmur. "It's weird."

For a while she just holds me, neither of us speaking.

"So...is this one of those awkward cry and stare at each other moments? If so, I should probably leave." Rowan says making both of us laugh. We pull away from the hug and wipe the tears away.

"No, come. We just finished talking." I say putting my hand in the air for him to take.

He takes it and plants a gentle kiss on my knuckles. "I would love to join, but I just got a call, I have some work to take care of." He say.

I stand up. "Alright let's head home then." I say then hug Judie goodbye.

"Take care, little one." She says before letting me go.

Can you guys believe it's almost 2025?
And just this year, I've published 3 stories!

See you guys next year...
And maybe I have even more surprises for you...👀