I hated her the first time I met her.
Ella is ridiculously spoiled. You know the type. The rich girl who'll sulk and cry all day if she doesn't get what she wants. Picky eater. Always whining when asked to do anything. Lazy. The kind of kid who runs straight into her parents' arms the second life gets a little hard. Almost like Anastasia.
But honestly? Ella's selfishness is worse.
Wait… what did you just ask, Inspector?
Do I hate Anastasia too?
…Why would you even ask that? I mean... no. No. We're sisters. We grew up together. I know her habits, her moods, everything. Yeah, she's sensitive. She cries easily. Sometimes that gets on my nerves. But hate her? No way. She's my family. I care about her.
Why are you looking at me like that? You think I'm lying?
I… fine. You're not letting this go, are you?
Yeah, sometimes I do hate her.
I'm jealous.
Anastasia is Mom's favorite. Compared to me, who barely scrapes by with average grades, of course Mom pays more attention to the golden child.
"Anastasia got a perfect score again!" Mom would hug her right in front of me, eyes sparkling at those stupid perfect papers. "As a reward, I'll cook your favorite tonight."
Always Anastasia.
"Drizella, Anastasia wants to watch her cartoon. Let her have the TV, okay? You've been watching sports all afternoon."
I'm always the one who gives in.
"Drizella, Anastasia wants to go to the bookstore. Go with her, will you? I'm busy."
I always said yes.
I thought that was the only way to get Mom to notice me. I was always helpful. Always did what she asked. I've cut my fingers helping her chop vegetables. I wake up early to water the plants. I sweep. I mop. While Anastasia is still snoring under her blanket, I'm already sweating in the kitchen.
"Drizella is so dependable."
I like it when Mom says that.
I like the warm chocolate milk she makes for me after I finish cleaning.
Drizella the strong one.
Drizella the helpful one.
Drizella the independent one.
That fits me. I like that.
I like it when Mom looks at me with pride like that. That's enough.
Even if she still prioritizes Anastasia, I don't complain much. I know she's trying to be fair. She's doing her best.
I don't hate Anastasia, Inspector.
The only one I hate is Ella.
Ella who ignores Mom.
Ella who treats her like she doesn't exist.
Ella who never once compliments the food Mom works so hard to cook.
She just locks herself in her room and makes Mom worry.
Stupid. Seriously, what a brat.
Mom tries so hard for her. Cooks her favorite meals. Fixes up the flower garden that belonged to her dead mother. Buys her nice things. At dinner, Mom always tries to talk to her. Ask about school. Ask about her day.
And that idiot just sits there. Silent. Doesn't answer. Doesn't even look at her.
Mom ends up looking like she's talking to a wall.
It really hurts to watch.
Does Ella ever think about Mom's feelings?
Sometimes I swear I want to punch her. Watching her act like that makes my chest feel tight.
And the worst part?
She gets Mom's attention without even trying. No effort. No work. Just breathing.
"Mom already thinks of Ella as her own daughter," Mom once told me while we were peeling carrots and potatoes together. "That means you should think of her as your sister too, Drizella."
Idiot.
Do you know what that means to me, Inspector?
It means Mom's love gets split again.
I'm already used to Mom loving Anastasia more. But adding Ella? My share just gets smaller.
Mom pays more attention to Ella now.
Even Anastasia gets ignored sometimes, perfect grades and all.
And me?
Does Mom still love me?
Does she still care?
Or because I'm the "independent" one, she doesn't need to pay attention anymore?
Now it's all Ella.
I don't want that, Inspector.
That's why… I killed her.
***