enne

steps. No voice calling out. The house felt completely empty. For a second, I stayed still, hoping I was wrong. Hopi

tried to keep myself busy, pushing away the heavy feeling growing in my chest. I made breakfast, though I barel

sity class. Florence and Mary would pick me up soon. I kept checking my phone, counting down the minutes. I could n

two kids sneaking around, not two adults who should have known better. The sound of

my mother asked, her smile wide, her voice

t nod, my lips

he wore last night when she left without a second thought. I said nothin

rong?" My mother called a

bag, my hands moving fast. I wanted to be gon

, leaning again

over at Xavier's?" she asked, fo

she stepped in front

warning in her voice. I stopped, my fingers curling around the strap of my

king. "You know I still see Dad. His blood. His last breath. It

and like she wanted to comfort me, but I

htmares get too bad?" I asked, my voice rising. "Y

she said gently. "The therap

ot understand.

t pounding. "You chose him over me. You laughed and smiled whi

oser again, bu

raising my hand to

dy to defend herself,

racking. I pressed my hands over my ears, tryin

a spoilt child! I have a right to my own life too, Vivienne. I cannot always be there

he threw at me made one thing clearer, I would never be first in her life again. And deep down, I knew, the only p

h a few times, but no words came out. Through blurry eyes, I l

ll she cared about was me accepting he

my voice barely there, "he would never have le

the deep, ugly feeling of bei

ve," I whispered, squeezi

enne,

who got shot that n

ld've be

ven look at Xavier as I stormed out of the house. Outside, Florence's black Subaru Outback was alre

see!" Mary yelled from the

ays ago," I muttered, un

's wrong?" Florence a

ight with my mom," I said

too well. They

s. What happened?"

ing married,"

smile

been that long since Pa

to call my dad "Papa." He w

e said softly. "But you knew i

n it hurt. It was one of the reaso

losing my eyes as mor

e case is still open. Not while

ry said, pulling me into a hug. "L

dipping at the lake," Florence

e, and when I did, Flore

Mary!" he cheered,

id!" Mary shoute

y mind drifted. Lucian' words

ght crept in. The memory of Lucian' hand on my shoulder. The way my body responded, heating instantly. If on