Chapter 2

When I brought the cake out, I saw my parents and Houston all gathered around Gloria, the four of them looking like the picture of a happy family.

I set the plates in front of each of them, then turned to head back to my room.

"Daisy, why aren't you having any cake? Are you still mad that Mom, Dad, Houston, and Kameron all went with me to the theme park instead of your concert? I'm really sorry, I just wanted to go so bad, I totally forgot it was your big day," Gloria said.

I turned around and saw Gloria with that sad puppy look on her face.

Dad frowned, clearly annoyed. "Daisy, do you really have to act out like this? It's just a scheduling conflict. You don't seriously think the theme park picked that day just to spite you, do you? Don't make it all about yourself."

I almost snorted. Sure, the theme park didn't care about me, but wasn't it Gloria who just had to go on opening day?

Mom let out a sigh. "Come on, Daisy, you're old enough not to get worked up over stuff like this. We're family, remember?"

Houston kept a straight face. "You can sulk all you want, but it won't change anything. If you keep this up, I'll just dote on Gloria even more."

Gloria tugged on his sleeve. "Houston, don't say that. It's totally normal for Daisy to be upset. This is all on me."

But even as she said that, she shot me a smug, challenging look, like she was daring me to say something.

I replied coolly, "I'm not mad."

Everyone paused, not quite buying it.

But my face gave nothing away, so they couldn't call me out. Finally, Houston said stiffly, "If you're not mad, then why aren't you having any cake? You're in your twenties now, not twelve. Don't act like a kid just because things don't go your way."

Oh, right. If my feelings didn't fit their script, I'd just get lectured all over again.

So not only did I have to pretend I didn't care about being ignored and left out, I had to plaster on a smile and act like they were totally in the right. Hell, I even had to grovel before Gloria just to keep the peace.

"There's hazelnut in the cake. I have a nut allergy," I said, keeping my tone flat.

Just slicing the cake had already made my hands break out in a rash. I needed to get back to my room and put some cream on it, Daisy thought.

Now, their expressions finally shifted. Houston couldn't meet my eyes, and for once, Mom and Dad even looked a bit guilty.

Gloria started crying, tears welling up in her eyes. "I'm so sorry, it just slipped my mind. This cake is really popular and almost impossible to buy, so I just wanted to grab it for everyone to taste.

"Daisy, I'm really sorry. It's really on me."

The moment she started crying, whatever guilt they had for me disappeared in a flash. The three of them immediately forgot about me and started fussing over her like she was the only one that mattered.

I didn't want to get dragged into their drama anymore, so I just said, "I'm going back to my room to put on some cream."

Dad glanced at Gloria, who was still crying, hesitated for a second, then turned to me. "Gloria's really upset. Couldn't you just have a bite of the cake?"

Even though I'd already stopped expecting anything from them, I still shot him a look of disbelief.

But I kept my face blank, because I knew they wouldn't care about my feelings at all.

I repeated calmly, "Eating it could actually be dangerous for me."

Dad hesitated, and Mom let out a sigh. "Never mind, if that's the case..."

"Dad, please don't force Daisy. It's my fault for buying this kind of cake," Gloria choked back tears. "I just... I just wanted us all to have cake together..."

Houston stood up, holding his plate. "Just eat a bite, will you? Stop making a fuss. Take your medicine afterward and you'll be fine."

He moved so fast I didn't even have a chance to run back to my room before he grabbed me.

"Just eat it yourself. Don't make me have to force-feed you," Houston said.

But the cake was already pressed right up against my lips.

I fought him with everything I had, keeping my lips sealed. I couldn't even curse him out. If I opened my mouth, he'd just shove the cake in.

Houston got fed up, grabbed my chin, and forced my mouth open.

Next thing I knew, Houston had crammed a chunk of cake into my mouth, smearing it all over my face. Even my nose and chin were covered.

I spat it out as fast as I could.

Houston shot me a glare. "Seriously, you're spitting it out? If you don't finish it, don't think I won't go buy a whole bag of hazelnuts and force-feed you every single one!"

I didn't even have the strength to fight back. My whole body was breaking out in a rash, I could hardly breathe, and every inch of me was itching like crazy.

Houston said, "Cut the act. It's just a rash. Go back to your room and take your meds... Hey!"

I didn't even get a chance to scratch before everything went black and I hit the floor.

Right before I passed out, I caught a glimpse of Gloria's smile, triumphant, almost mocking. It stung.

I came to the next day, and Haleigh Wooten, our housekeeper, was there taking care of me.

She told me that after I passed out, Gloria started freaking out about her heart, so Mom, Dad, and Houston panicked and rushed her off to the hospital.

Before heading out, they just called the family doctor to check on me.