The Elder Sister Who Ran Away After Being Cheated by Her Fiancé and Younger Sister - Chapter 3:

Estelle, who happened to finish work early and was permitted to return home, somehow decided at that moment to sneak back quietly.

She wanted to see what the house and shop were like during the hours when she was normally absent.

She didn’t know why she’d thought of it, it was just a mischievous whim.

After passing the front entrance, she quietly circled around to the back and entered through the kitchen door.

Even if someone had been there, it wouldn’t have mattered much.

But as it happened, perhaps everyone was out, and the kitchen was empty—Estelle managed to sneak home. She’d done it.

She muffled her footsteps and headed toward her room.

Just before Estelle’s room was Clara’s.

She walked with extra care so Clara wouldn’t notice her.

From Clara’s room came a burst of bright laughter.

It seemed she had a visitor.

Estelle froze in surprise and stopped walking.

“…So, it’s not…”

“…Maybe it was…”

She could hear fragments of their conversation.

Estelle grew flustered, realizing she was eavesdropping.

She hurriedly tried to leave.

But she recognized one of the voices.

It was Theo’s.

—Oh, so Theo’s here.

Why with Clara? She tilted her head for a moment, but since the three of them had played together since childhood, she didn’t think much of it.

Then, still childishly, Estelle decided to surprise them. She knocked on the door and opened it without waiting for a reply.

“I’m home, Clara.”

Why hadn’t she waited for a reply?

Estelle thought about it later, but she believed the outcome would have been the same even if she had.

Inside the room were Clara and Theo.

Both Clara and Theo were dressed as if in sleepwear, relaxing closely entwined on the chaise lounge.

Clara’s exposed white thighs caught Estelle’s eye, and her mind went blank.

A maid, suspicious of Estelle standing dazed in the hallway, called out to her. Seeing the flustered pair inside, the maid said nothing, turned on her heel, and quickly left.

Soon after, their parents came running.

◇

“Sister, I’m sorry…”

Clara, shedding tears in a delicate stream, looked lovely and beautiful.

It was like a scene from a painting, Estelle vaguely thought.

“That’s not true! I’m the one to blame. Estelle, please don’t hold it against Clara.”

Theo held Clara to his chest, shielding her as he looked up at Estelle.

I’m not blaming anyone.

I haven’t said anything yet.

While Estelle stood there in a daze, their parents questioned the two about what had happened.

There wasn’t much to explain—just the usual story: while Estelle was away at school, the two had many chances to talk and gradually grew attracted to each other.

“I felt terrible about you, Sister. But I couldn’t stop my feelings.”

“I understand, Clara. Me too. If there’s any sin, it’s not yours alone—I share it.”

“No, Theo, it’s not your fault. It’s my fault for falling in love.”

“That’s exactly how I feel, Clara. I fell in love with you too.”

There they were, a couple tenderly comforting each other.

“Don’t cry so much, Clara. We fully understand how sorry you feel.”

“Yes, feelings are something you can’t control, I suppose.”

At first, their parents had shown anger, but as Clara wept with a fragile air, their tone softened, gradually shifting to one of consolation.

Only their mother wore a bitter expression, but even so, Estelle thought, this is how it always goes.

When Clara bowed her head and wept delicately, everyone around her immediately sympathized with her.

It was always like that.

It would have been easier if Clara had some ulterior motive if she were trying to use people.

But for better or worse, Clara didn’t think that way at all. She was still a child.

She simply spoke her mind and wishes honestly.

Even if she was refused, she wouldn’t cling or hold a grudge.

The next time they met, she’d smile without a care.

She meant no harm.

And that’s what made it so painful for Estelle.

Not getting a souvenir wasn’t Clara’s fault.

Clara didn’t monopolize Estelle’s share.

She never checked if Estelle had received anything, nor did she share her own with Estelle.

Clara wasn’t to blame.

But if Estelle asked for her share, she’d be scolded for being greedy.

And yes, that was true. But still.

While Estelle was lost in thought, the conversation continued.

“Estelle, what’s done is done. Let’s call off your engagement with Theo.”

“Estelle, you’ve always been good friends with both Clara and Theo. You understand, right?”

Understand what?

What was she supposed to understand?

Under the gaze of all four, Estelle felt a heat behind her eyes.

—Lucky Clara. If she cries, she gets whatever she wants.

Estelle thought like a child.

If she cried here and said she didn’t want this, it would only make things awkward.

She’d just be scolded like in any typical parent-child argument. Told she was old enough to know better, that throwing a tantrum was shameful.

Before Estelle could utter a word, the situation had already shifted: Clara, the brave girl who had committed the crime of love, was begging forgiveness, with Theo at her side, and their parents watching over the sisters, expecting the older one to make the “right decision.”

Why does everyone act like it’s best for me to give up?

Estelle had loved Theo.

She’d loved Clara, too.

There were times she felt so envious it hurt, but she knew that was her own perception. Their parents’ indifference toward her wasn’t Clara’s fault, and Clara bore no ill will.

She’d even felt proud of her cute, beautiful younger sister.

She had… but…

Estelle agreed to break off her engagement with Theo.

Beneath the depths of her sadness lay frustration.

In the end, it meant Estelle was inferior to Clara.

Whether in looks, personality, or anything else.

Public opinion didn’t matter.

Here and now, in the eyes of Theo and their parents, Clara was judged more important and respected more than Estelle.

That was what frustrated her.

And the fact that she felt frustrated made her sad.