amed isolation. The dishes they served were a catalog of everything I disliked. Lamb, which I found too gamy even before my senses vanished. Asparagus, a ve

satisfaction. She passed a dish of roasted potatoes to Bethany. "Here y

t, dear, let me get you some. You need to eat more, you're lo

d my plate slightly away from me. I wouldn't ea

," my father mumbled from my

he died, this house died with her. Mrs. Davies and Bethany had moved in like a conquering army, erasing every trace of my mother, replacing her photos with their own, changing her favorite

ack to the present. She took a delicate bite of lamb. "She's always been a bit of a drama

," I said, my voice

, after all. Even if you don't have a

ything I'd lost while she gained. I looked at her

ne who needed someone else to clear the path for you. Some people are born wit

rve. Her own insecurities about he

arlett." He reached across the table and slapped my hand, which was resting near m

d to the shock of his action. He had hit

n I thought I loved disintegrated in that moment. There

couldn't be in that room for another second. I turned

e he caught up to me, grabbing

spat, trying to w

sed, his grip tightening. "You need to go

ed, a bitter, humorless sound. "You want me to apolog

"What are you

. I heard you and Bethany talking last night

ened. He looked genuinel

inished for him.

bout. Bethany had nothing to do with this. Her mother... her mother went through so much to get a

about me, Ethan? What about what your precious Beth

rage. "Don't you dare br

sharp, my head snapping to the side from the force. My cheek burned, a fiery pa

. I slowly turned my head back to look at him. His eyes were wide with a mi

hispered, my v

lett,

t.

prised by my force. I scrambled into the nearest guest room, the on

t and silent. I pressed my hand to my burning cheek. This was the end. The absol