"How did you survive the plane crash? I heard that none of the passengers survived and that many bodies were not found. So how did you…."
"I was never on the plane."
"What?"
"That day, I thought Roxy and I would be going home, but… she changed her mind and told me to go home alone. At that time, I dressed like her and suddenly had to be alone in that outfit… I was chickened out."
So… she decided to postpone her departure and stayed in Barcelona. She planned to tell her sister the next day and settled in a hotel.
Who would have thought… not long after she entered the hotel room, she heard about the accident. And her name… Roxanne's name was listed as the victim who died.
It can't be helped… she did get on the plane but changed her mind just as one of the flight attendants was about to close the plane door.
"Then why didn't you contact us directly? Why didn't you tell your sister?"
"..." Kaylee couldn't answer. At that time, she was too shocked and felt she had just come out of the death gate. She didn't know what to do and could only lock herself in her hotel room for days.
"Kaylee, I don't know how you got to know our family's secret in the organization, but… is this why you didn't tell us when the accident happened? Is it because you don't want to go back to Folkland?"
"…" Yes, that was the reason, but she preferred to stay with her family.
She planned to contact her family but was too scared to come out. She felt someone had been waiting for her and ready to prey on her.
"Forget about Hades and the organization. Did you not think about your family's feelings at that time? At all? Have you never imagined how much of an effect your parents, especially your sister, will have when they hear the news of your death?"
Kaylee had imagined it. But she was sure that one day their sorrow would heal, and they would live happily ever after without her.
"Your sister tried to commit suicide several times until she lost her memories."
"Wh… what?" Those were not the news she expected to hear.
Her sister tried to commit suicide? Her sister Roxy? Why?
"Your mother also became obstinate and blamed your sister for your gone. Your father quit Hades' position and moved to North America under a new name. Gwendy, Nicolau, and me… the three of us moved to New York to help with your sister's mental health recovery."
"That… that's impossible."
"The three of us changed our names so no one would recognize us, and we all had to adapt there to avoid the eyes of investigators who suspected us. And your sister… she thinks she is you and doesn't have a sister. Every time someone mentions her sister or she saw your two faces in a photo album… she would scream in pain and fall unconscious."
That's why Mr. and Mrs. Zouch got rid of all the photos of Kaylee and just posted a family photo that only had Roxanne's face on. After eight years, Roxanne no longer has a headache and truly considers herself the only daughter.
"She called herself as you and acts like you to deceive me all these years. I thought the one on the plane was Roxy, and the survivor was Kaylee. But who would have thought… Roxy's mental breakdown was so strong that she lost her memory and thought she was you. She got me quite good."
"I… I don't know…."
"How could you know? You didn't even call us. Do you only think about yourself? Did you have a mental breakdown after hearing about the accident?"
"I…"
"I know you might be shocked and traumatized when you hear about the plane crash. You almost got on that plane and suffered the same fate as the other victims. But don't you know that knowing you're still alive is the miracle we hoped for?"
"I…"
"Aren't you a sweet girl and think others before yourself? You always show up when your father is frustrated with your sister. And you can make the tense atmosphere soft again. When we all needed your presence, your cheerfulness… why you even decided to cut ties with us?"
"It's enough. Please, don't talk anymore." Kaylee felt a pang inside her chest. Her eyes were teary to the point she couldn't act strong in front of her cousin.
"Do you know? Roxy has made all your dreams come true that you have never achieved before. She forgot her own dream as a designer and decided to study at M university and become a pianist in the NYA orchestra. She even became a composer and songwriter by collaborating with Gwen. Their names are both quite famous there."
Kaylee's body trembled at the words that came out of her cousin's mouth. She felt that every word that came out of her cousin was like a sword slicing through her heart.
She never thought that her selfishness at that time would make such a significant change in her family's life.
The tears that had been filling her eyes now flowed unobstructedly.
"I…"
"One more thing." as if not satisfied with attacking Kaylee with his sword-like words, Robert continued his sentence. "There were several Royal Conservatoires in England and Germany inviting her to be a spokesperson as a pianist, but she refused all of them. Do you know the reason?"
Kaylee couldn't make a sound because she started sobbing so hard. She wished her cousin would stop his talk as soon as he saw her tears. Usually, her cousin wouldn't force her again after she shed tears.
But today… her cousin is rather heartless and gave no care about her tears.
"Your sister has an unnatural fear of planes. She hadn't been on a plane since she arrived in New York. That's why… she can't go overseas."
Instantly Kaylee's knees went limp.
Her sister… didn't dare to get on the plane? Roxy, who loves to travel the world… was afraid of boarding on the plane?