Chapter 3
The hospital room was silent.
Celine Moore rummaged through her grandmother's bag and found an asthma inhaler, its aluminum canister marked with misshapen teeth imprints. Just as she was about to ask something, she noticed a note tucked under the cap of the inhaler.
“Don't forget to wear layers when the seasons change, Vivian,” and “Vivian, the bankbook is under the blue floral cloth in the study.”
Her grandmother had been battling Alzheimer’s for years and had forgotten much of the past, yet those two reminders seemed etched in her mind. She had tucked them into the life-saving inhaler. Tears pooled in Celine’s eyes and began to fall.
---
Celine hadn’t been home the entire night, and when morning came, she entered the house to find Guillermo Cruz sitting on the couch, visibly displeased.
“Where have you been? You really should know your limits when having fun. It’s not okay to stay out all night.”
Celine walked directly to the stairs, but Guillermo intercepted her at the landing.
She retorted, “I can do what I want, Guillermo. It’s none of your concern.”
Guillermo’s brows furrowed, anger simmering beneath the surface, as he managed to hold back for a moment.
“Go put on the Victorian-style dress I just bought. Mom wants us over for dinner.”
“Alright.”
Celine went upstairs, returning shortly dressed in a cartoon sweatshirt, shorts, and white sneakers.
Guillermo’s eyebrows formed steep arches. “Why aren’t you wearing the Victorian dress I got you?”
Celine answered, “I burned it.”
Guillermo’s expression turned stormy. “...”
Celine, losing patience, asked, “Are we going to your mom’s for dinner or not? My grandma’s expecting me to visit...”
Guillermo’s eyes flashed with panic, quickly interrupting, “Forget apologies, it’s just Thanksgiving dinner.”
“Let’s go.” Celine pivoted and walked out the door.
---
Celine followed Guillermo into the house, hearing the ongoing conversation as soon as they stepped inside.
“Mom, don’t overdo it with the dishes. Vivian’s particular; she avoids this, dislikes that.”
“It’s such a rare treat to have both of you home, so naturally I’m making all your favorites. Vivian’s a wonderful girl, just a little choosy.”
Celine’s body tensed momentarily, letting out a derisive laugh. “Well, even if my grandma cooked a pile of junk, it’d still smell better than your Cruz family’s pulled pork.”
Guillermo quickly covered her mouth, trying to maintain a smile. “Mom, Vivian didn’t mean it. She’s just feeling off lately. Please don’t...”
Celine pushed his hand away. “I meant every word.”
Faces in the room fell visibly.
Guillermo’s mother frowned, starting to scold. “Guillermo, make her apologize to me at once!”
Celine released another cold laugh. She hadn’t come to the Cruz residence just for a simple meal; she was there for her grandmother’s bankbook.
As Guillermo was about to speak, “Vivian...”
Celine fixated her icy gaze on Guillermo’s mother. “Where is my grandma’s bankbook now?”
Guillermo’s mom, who had been so confident, suddenly seemed uncertain. “Wha... what bankbook? I have no idea what you mean.”
Celine slammed her hand onto the table. “When my parents died and my grandma was sick, you helped arrange everything. You’ve been keeping all our valuables, and now you claim ignorance?”
Guillermo’s mom clutched her chest. “Celine Moore, after your parents died, our family took care of you. Are you now accusing me of theft?”
Celine was no longer surprised by her deceitful act. “So you’re not going to tell me? Fine, I’ll find it myself!”
Celine shoved past Guillermo’s arm and sprinted up the stairs with resounding steps.
Guillermo’s mother was at a loss for words, gripping her chest. “Guillermo, you... you stop her!”
Guillermo was about to pursue her when Zoey Gardner grabbed his arm.
“Let me go after her, brother. Let’s see what our dear sister-in-law is really up to.”
Celine barged into Guillermo’s mom's room and began her search with fervor. She noticed a locked drawer next to the nightstand and reached for it, but suddenly heard a click behind her.
Turning in disbelief, she found the door locked from the outside by none other than Zoey. With arms crossed, Zoey wore a malicious smirk.
“Celine, don’t waste your energy. You’ll never find that bankbook.”
With Guillermo absent, Zoey dropped the pretense, exposing a malice never before seen.
Celine’s eyes turned icy. “So, you’re saying you’ve seen it?”
Zoey suddenly produced a small blue bag from her pocket, as if by magic. “Of course.”
Celine focused intently, her heart clenching. In Zoey’s hand was indeed the blue floral cloth pouch her grandmother had lovingly sewn all those years ago.