Chapter 2

For the first time, I realized that with my mother gone, I didn't have a home anymore.

"So this is why you're covering for her?" I jabbed a finger at Aunt Bethany, my voice trembling with rage as I confronted my father. "My mom was your wife! Are you really going to protect your mistress who killed her?"

For a split second, I saw sadness flash across my father's face, and his tone softened.

He said, "I'm just as devastated as you are about Lilah's death. She was my wife, and I'm hurting more than you could ever know.

"But Bethany is innocent. She lost her sister, and she's suffering even more than we are."

I didn't see a trace of grief on Aunt Bethany's face. All I saw was her snuggling into my father's arms, fake-crying, while the corners of her mouth curled up in a secret, smug little smile.

I turned to Archie.

"You saw it, right? That bitch has been sneaking around with dad behind mom's back this whole time. Let's go to the police and fight for justice for Mom," I said.

Archie was born after my mother carried him for nine months, pouring all her love into him. I knew that once he realized Aunt Bethany was the one who tore our family apart, he'd stand with me for my mother.

But Archie just stared at me, calm as ever, like he had known the truth all along. The moment I called Aunt Bethany a bitch, he shot out his hand and shoved me back.

"You're the bitch! Who gave you the right to talk about Auntie Bethany that way?" Archie snapped.

I clutched my face, shocked to the core by his reaction.

"Has she brainwashed you or something? Why are you sticking up for her, too?" I demanded.

Archie gave Aunt Bethany a soft look and said, "Auntie Bethany is always so good to me. She buys me the toys I like and cooks my favorite meals. Of course I care about her."

Aunt Bethany gazed at Archie, moved. "I knew it, Archie. All that love I gave you really paid off."

I couldn't stand watching them play happy family, acting like the perfect mother and son, while my mother was made to seem like she never mattered.

"But she's the one who pushed your mom. You're never going to have a mom again!" I shouted.

For the first time, Archie finally looked a little sad, like he should have from the start.

He asked, "So I don't have a mom anymore. Will Auntie Bethany still come visit me?"

Aunt Bethany replied softly, "Of course. Would you like me to be your mom from now on?"

Archie's head snapped up, his eyes instantly brightening, all traces of grief gone. "Yeah. It'd be awesome if Auntie Bethany were my mom.

"Honestly, I stopped wanting my mom ages ago. She was always on my case about homework and tutoring and never let me have any fun—no knives, no spicy food, and I couldn't even hang out with my friends.

"But Auntie Bethany's not like that. Whatever I want, she lets me have it. I wish she could be my mom. It's better off now that Lilah is gone."

I asked, my voice trembling, "She is your real mom. She loved you for nothing."

Archie muttered, "How did she ever care about me?"

I glanced at Archie, disappointment weighing heavy in my chest, then turned to my so-called grandparents, my mother and Aunt Bethany's parents.

"And what about you two? Your daughter was murdered, you never treated her right when she was alive, and now that she's gone, you still won't stand up for her?" I pressed.

They avoided my gaze, shame flickering in their eyes. My grandmother mumbled, "They're both our flesh and blood. Lilah's gone. Do you really want us to let Bethany lose everything, too?"

That was it. I was done with my grandparents.

My mother and Aunt Bethany were both their daughters, but since my mother wasn't healthy growing up, they put everything on Aunt Bethany's shoulders.

When my mother was a kid, if Aunt Bethany said she liked one of my mother's gifts, they'd always tell my mother to give it up for Aunt Bethany.

My mother was a straight-A student, and her school wanted her to compete for a free pass to college. But if Aunt Bethany wanted it, they'd make my mother give up her spot, pretending it was all my mother's idea.