cording to Liam' s secret journal, had been told by doctors she was

ews," I managed to say, my voice a

chirped. "We' ll be parents together! Our ba

rt. She was setting a new trap, and

ling some cramping this morning. The doctor said to rest, but I' m so scared.

setup. But I agreed. I

ying on the sofa, a pained expression

she whispered, clutching her sto

layed the part of the concerned sister, offering her water and p

me to help her up the stairs to her bed

calm. I helped her to her feet, and we started up the grand, carpet

out, her voice h

umbling down the stairs in a dramatic, flailing mess

clutching her stomach. "

oking down at her performance. It wa

face a mask of panic. He must have been waiting outside. H

red, his voice filled with a rage I

planation. He just saw his precious Chloe on the floor

his arms. "It' s okay, Chloe. I' m

is eyes burning with hatred

screech of his tires f

around the spot where she had lain. I kn

d into my house. He didn't knoc

flying. "You pushed your sister down the

looked at him, at this man

s face was pale, his eyes red

, his voice a dead whisper. "Chloe..

nched into fists. "You were jealou

y silence seemed to

yelled. He grabbed my arm, hi

my voice devoid of emotion. "You

oom full of gasoline. Liam exploded. He grab

," he hissed. "Chloe is devastat

ld. "Her hands. Ruin her hands. She took Chloe' s

e, to paint, to find some small solace in art. I

He seemed to like the idea. "Yes,"

or. I didn' t fight. I didn' t scream. A strange, serene detachment

o life. He picked up a heavy cast-iron skillet an

s surface. I thought of my mother. I thought of the child

pan. My father held my right ha

iam said, his voice shak

ressed the pa

l of my own burning flesh filled the air. But I didn't make a sound. I just stared into h

I crumpled to the floor, cradling my ruined h

eathing heavily, their

t," I w

time, the smell of burnt flesh mingling with the sce

myself to the hospital, my left hand steering t

doctor treated the burn. He was

aid softly. "The nerve damage is severe. You' ll

pain. As he was finishing

said, more to himself than to me. "Especially sin

a miscarriage to match Chloe' s story.

d no