I Died in The Deep Sea for My Sister's Dream Novel by Summer Firefly

That day, the rain fell in torrents, and I was still quite young.

As soon as I learned that my Mom’s birthday was approaching, I began my preparations, ordering a cake that would only be perfect once I added a few personal touches.

I also needed to carefully select the carnations for the occasion.

At that time, it felt like that was all I could do for my Mom.

Evie wanted to join me for a shopping trip, but I couldn’t forget my responsibilities.

So, I declined her offer anc eft the house.

The turning point came just after my departure.

Evie was kidnapped.

The individuals who were supposed to abduct me, in a fit of desperation, ended up taking Evie instead.

The kidnapper was a familiar face–one of my father’s closest friends–who, for reasons unknown, had become friends with Evie.

Evie had always been driven by her vanity, secretly selling off valuable items from our home, which he eventually discovered.

When he later plotted against our family, he used Evie as a pawn, hoping she would lure me out.

Little did they know, in my effort to buy a gift for my Mom, I had not fallen into their trap; in desperation, they could only capture Evie and forced her to record those desperate pleas for help.

It was this situation that drove my father into a frantic rage, leading to the reckless driving that resulted in the accident…

My father died, while Evie was eventually rescued by the police, and the kidnapper revealed everything.

Yet, my Mom refused to place the blame on Evie.

It was this realization that spurred me to boldly pursue Eric, knowing there was no future for me in that home!

Our relationship had always stemmed from my initiative, and for that, I held no regrets.

But I never anticipated that he would be one of my sister’s many ex–boyfriends, nor that my presence would rekindle their past connection.

Had I known all of this from the start, I would never have allowed them to meet!

“I was wrong…” my Mom murmured softly, as if she had finally realized her mistakes, her voice laced with guilt and something more complex.

The petals scattered on the ground were not much different from the bouquet I had once given her.

My affection lay trampled beneath her disregard.

“Aria, come back. Mom knows she was wrong. I won’t be biased anymore; even if I am, I’ll take good care of you.”

Tears suddenly streamed down her face as she reached out into the void, as if trying to grasp something elusive.

I floated closer to her, observing the pain and confusion etched across her features, a complex turmoil swirling within me.

Of course, I felt hatred; I resented her refusal to share even a morsel of trust with me over the years.

Yet, seeing my once well–groomed Mom now matted with blood, her appearance disheveled, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy for her.

Eric merely smiled coldly.

“Now you regret it? What were you doing before this?”

His piercing question seemed to defend me, and my Mom’s emotions shifted even more, a hint of discontent flickering in her eyes.

“You and Evie are entangled; what right do you have to criticize me?”

“At least… I’m her Mom; she won’t hold it against me, but you!”

My Mom clung to her words as if they were a lifeline, believing that if Eric were worse off than her, it would somehow ease her burdens.

“You were already entangled with Evie. The sisters look so much alike; how could you possibly not notice?”

My Mom continued, her voice rising.

It felt as if they had turned this place into a battlefield, each word exchanged driving another chill into my heart.

Since they were aware yet continued to protect Evie, did that mean, deep down, she had always hel