The first daughter

In the bedroom, Eleonor looks out the window. The sky is really brightly tonight. Since she decided that she would marry in Emily's place, silence has reigned in the Evans household.

Honestly, she's scared. Not just because she's about to become the wife of a cruel man she doesn't know, but because if he finds out she's the wrong sister, things could end badly. She and her family may even die. From her father's fear, thinking of herself with a mortal wound doesn't seem far-fetched.

Another part of her is also saddened because in her twenties she has dreams. She wanted to attend college, which had to be postponed because of the family financial problems. She didn't know exactly what she wanted to do, but she had two years to discover her vocation. Like, she had to be good at something, right? But at that moment, everything seems hazy and confusing. Her dreams shattered in front of her as she decided to accept for herself the fate that should have been her sister's.

Eleonor is getting ready to go to bed. It's freezing outside. It even looks like it's going to rain.

She hugs her own body and heads for the bed when she hears a knock on the door. When she opens it, sees Emily on the other side, that enters the room silently and lies down on her sister's bed without saying a single word.

Eleonor snuggles into bed next to her. They stare at each other in the dark, in completely silence, until Emily breaks it: “Thanks for doing this for me...”

“It's not the first time I've impersonated you, Emmy. Everything is fine.”

“But you and Josh...”

“It's okay, really.” Eleonor whispers. It wasn't really okay, but it needed to look like it. Decisions were already made it. There's no going back.

“You love him, right?” Emily asks quietly.

“Yes, but I love you more.”

Emily smiles at the answer.

“Are you really… going to sacrifice yourself for me?”

“It's not like I have a death sentence, Emily.” Eleonor scolds her in a kind tone. She doesn't want to worry her sister. “I know he looks scary, but he won't kill me.”

“Unless he discovers the truth. Then we all be dead.”

“Emily.” The sister calls after her, uncomfortable. “You don't tend to be that pessimistic.”

“I'm sorry, it's just…” She pauses for a moment. “I am scared.” She finally confesses.

“I know you are. But everything will be fine.” Eleonor gives a sad smile. “Really.”

“The truth is, I'm also in love with someone else. This whole mess just made me realize that life is short, and that I really want to be with him.” Emily confesses finally. “I feel like I could die being away from him.”

Eleonor is silent because she knows her sister's words are true. Emily is a dreamy girl, that wants a traditional and perfect wedding, with rain of rice and tin cans tied to the bridal car. Emily falls in love and believes that this feeling will last forever, and Eleonor trusts that, even though she totally disbelieves happy endings and eternal love. They're like complete opposites.

“Do you feel that kinda thing for Josh too...?”

“You know very well that I don't believe in happy ends and eternal love. Never thought about this with him.” Eleonor lies because she feels like Josh could mean all that eventually. A traditional marriage and eternal vows of love. Yeah, she could really believe.

“But it's not fair that you give up your love for me...”

“It wasn't anything serious anyway. I am sure he will understand.”

Emily snuggles closer to her sister, hugging her tightly. Tears wet Eleonor's pillow, and she mentally thanks for not being seen crying in the darkness of the room.

“Thank you, Ellie…” She speaks. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Emmy.” And those are the only words Eleonor is sure she wouldn't regret. Everything else, however, is uncertain.

She's scared and heartbroken.

With a gigantic target embedded in her back.

But she needs to be strong for her sister. She couldn't show herself fragile, after all, she's the older sister. In fact, she's an outsider in that family. At least, that's what her mother always made a point of stressing. Deep down, she also agreed to gain Erica's approval for the first time. Saving the family from this crisis could be a way to finally be a part of it. 

She feels that this is her duty as the first daughter.

Perhaps it was silly to think that way, but Eleonor truly believed that she would receive gratitude from her family. Poor thing. She would later find out that she would never be part of the Evans, even if she gave her blood for them.

But at that moment, with Emily in her arms, she kept that spark of hope burning and warming her aching heart.

Her whole life would change in the morning, and she can already hear the sound of church bells slowly approaching, like a low-key hum that becomes unbearable.

For a moment, she lets her mind wander and finds herself imagining what Reviello would look like. What would be the color of his hair, his eyes? Would they be blue like the sky, or green like hills? Would there be scars or tattoos? A chubby body, or perfectly sculpted muscles? Would he have a beard? Thick eyebrows? A piercing gaze?

Unbelievably, a foolish desire to see him wells up in her chest. Is she really wanting to meet this man? Or was it just the curiosity, so dormant in the personality, finally awakening? It couldn't be a more inopportune moment.

“What do you think of this Reviello guy?” Eleonor asks in a whisper.

“He looks like a scary man.” Emily groans. “Did you see how scared Dad was of him? No wonder he didn't tell us about his financial problems before...”

The truth is that Eleonor already knew. Her father asked her to postpone the college because of that and begged for secret. Emily, however, started her classes early that year.

“You don't blame him? We're in this situation because of him.” Eleonor ponders.

“It's like asking if you resent him for cheating on Mom and being born.” She pauses for a moment. “It's the way things are. And sometimes, good things can come out of bad situations.”

Eleonor struggles to ignore the piercing pain she felt in her chest at her sister's sleepy phrase. “Do you really think anything good can come out of this?”

“Yes, I mean…we can have the house and shares back now.”

Eleonor's breath comes out ragged. At what price? She asks herself mentally.

“But that's not a good thing, it's damage control.”

Emily chuckles.

“Who is being pessimistic now?”

“You're right. Maybe something truly good will come of it all.”

“Let's go sleep... that Mobster Rep will come tomorrow.” Emily yawns. “Good night sis.”

Eleonor is silent for a moment. Then, she closes her eyes: “Good night, Emmy.”