My Adopted Sister Tried To Kill Me For My House

The moment word got around that I'd bought a new house, Melissa—my younger sister who'd cut me off three years ago over her tall, handsome boyfriend—suddenly crawled back into my life.

She told me they were down to their last hundred bucks, and the landlord had tossed them out. She begged me to let her crash at my place, just for a bit. Since Melissa was the only family I had left, I caved and handed over the keys.

But when my lease on the company apartment ran out and I was ready to move into my new home, I found out Melissa had let Julian's entire family move in too. I demanded the house back, but Melissa and Julian's mother threw epic tantrums, refusing to budge. When I threatened to call the cops, they cooked up a plan to drag me up to the rooftop.

Melissa's grin was ice-cold. "Once you're gone, I inherit everything as your primary heir. This place will be mine." And with that, she shoved me.

When I opened my eyes again, staring at Melissa's tear-streaked face, I had only two words for her: "No deal."

At my firm refusal, Melissa's mask slipped right off. Her head snapped up. "Jane, I'm the only family you've got left! You're seriously going to let that house sit empty while you stay in your tiny apartment? Letting me stay awhile won't kill you, right?"

I stayed silent. It actually did kill me. Once, anyway.

Melissa seemed to realize she'd pushed too hard, so she softened her tone. "Sis, Julian's already out looking for work. The second he gets paid, we're gone. I know you never liked Julian, but we really do love each other. He treats me well! Remember—before Mom and Dad passed, they asked you to take care of me. You wouldn't let me end up on the streets, would you?"

I smiled weakly. Because Mom and Dad asked me to take care of her, I'd forgiven her over and over again.

When I first started working, Melissa was still in school. My $3,000 monthly salary mostly went to her, while she skipped classes and ran with the wrong crowd. Her grades were always rock bottom.

Even after she graduated, she never looked for a job. She'd hit me up for cash constantly, and if I refused, she'd threaten to ruin her own life. When I found out about her and Julian, I tried to reason with her, telling her she was too young and Julian was bad news.

But she blew up at me, accused me of butting into her life, and handed me a letter cutting all ties. Despite everything, I still let her use my house when she was practically homeless. She swore that once Julian found a job, they'd move out, and she'd treat me like her closest family again.

But that very kindness cost me my life. Remembering how I ended up a broken mess in my past life, the coldness in my eyes deepened.

"Melissa, did you forget? You said I was cruel for trying to keep you from Julian. You wanted to sever ties," I said, getting up to find the letter she'd given me back then. Her words had devastated me—I'd treated her like my beloved little sister, only for her to choose a man over family. I left the letter unsigned, hoping she'd someday see her mistake.

Now, pulling out that letter, I signed my name with a flourish and held it up for her to see. "As you wished, I have no sister now. You chose Julian, and no matter how tough things get, you'll have to deal with it."

Seeing the indifference in my eyes, Melissa's composure shattered. She jumped up, snatched the letter from my hand, and tore it to shreds. "I'm your sister—blood is thicker than water! That house should be half mine!"

"Fine, don't give it to me. But I'll find a way to make you hand it over willingly." Her eyes burned with spite before she spun around and stormed out. Watching her retreating back, I let out a bitter laugh.

Sister? Before she died, my mom shared a secret she'd kept her whole life. They were infertile—both Melissa and I were adopted. My duty to Melissa was fulfilled in my previous life.