Chapter 3

I booked the earliest high-speed train. Lana drove me to the station, worry written all over her face.

"Lila, you're in a really dangerous place right now," she said. "If it gets to be too much, you have to call me, okay? I'll come get you, no matter what."

I nodded like a robot and took two calming pills.

They kicked in fast. The tearing pain in my chest dulled into a numb ache.

But when I got to Ethan's parents' home and heard laughter coming from inside, a sharp pang shot through my chest.

"Ethan, look over here. Come on, smile. Wow, those cat ears look perfect on you!" Lucy laughed.

Compared to how dead I felt inside, she was pure sunshine and energy. No wonder Ethan was so drawn to her.

But I used to be just like her, too. Full of life. Full of joy.

There was a time when the laughter behind this door was ours. Ethan would carry me on his back, spin me around. We'd goof around in the living room.

I couldn't let myself go there. So I pushed the door open.

The laughter stopped instantly.

Lucy was holding a selfie stick, draped all over Ethan.

And there was Ethan, the always serious, straight-laced Dr. Bell, with a pair of pink cat ears sitting on his head.

When she saw me, she shrank back behind him like a startled rabbit, peeking out timidly from behind him.

"Lila, was I being too loud? Did I bother you?" she asked.

Ethan pulled off the headband and let out a dismissive snort as he glanced at me.

"I thought you had more backbone, always throwing around the divorce card. So you finally came to your senses and stopped acting up?" he sneered.

I was glad I'd taken the meds.

Seeing the scene and hearing his words, I wasn't hurting anymore, just numb.

I looked around the living room. Ethan's father, Hogan Bell, was nowhere in sight.

"Does Hogan know you're bringing another woman home while he's away?" I asked.

Ethan avoided my gaze. "Don't be ridiculous. Dad went back to the countryside to visit relatives. He'll be back the day after tomorrow."

"Lucy's water pipe burst, so she has nowhere to stay. I'm just letting her crash here for a couple of days. Don't overthink it. Don't make a scene and ruin everyone's mood," he added.

I didn't bother listening anymore. I walked past them and headed upstairs.

"Lila!" Ethan snapped, calling after me.

He reached out and caught my arm, frowning. "I'm talking to you. What's with the attitude?"

I turned and gave him a cold, hard stare.

He froze for a moment, then let go of my arm without really knowing why.

I turned and headed upstairs.

But when I opened the door to my old bedroom, I froze.

Lucy's suitcase was open. Her things were scattered everywhere. The whole room smelled of some unfamiliar perfume.

My nose stung with a bitter ache. I bit my lip hard to keep from crying.

It didn't matter anymore.

I opened the hidden compartment deep in the closet.

Empty.

I checked the drawers, the cabinets. Nothing, still nothing.

"Looking for this?" A low voice drifted from the doorway.

I spun around.

Lucy was leaning against the doorframe, twirling a diamond bracelet in her hand. A wicked grin spread across her face.

She said, "Ethan said all that old stuff was just clutter, so he figured I might as well wear it. At least it's not going to waste.

"Ugh, I didn't know it belonged to some dead person. That's so morbid!"

Then she let the bracelet drop. It hit the floor with a sharp crack and broke apart.

Something inside me snapped. I completely lost it.

I lunged at her and grabbed her by the hair. "That was my mom's! How could you ruin it? I'll make you pay."

"Ow! Lila, you're crazy. Ethan, help," she was screaming, shoving at me frantically.

That was when Ethan burst in. "Lila, let go!" he yelled.

Just as I started to let go, Lucy suddenly lost her balance and fell backward down the stairs, shrieking in pain as she tumbled.

"Lucy!" Ethan yelled. His eyes looked like they were about to burst with fury. He spun around and slapped me across the face as hard as he could.

I slammed into the wall, blood instantly welling up at the corner of my mouth.

"If anything happens to Lucy, I'll never forgive you!" he shouted.

He spat out those words, then raced downstairs, scooped up the unconscious Lucy, and rushed out the door.

Everything was buzzing in my ears.

I slid down the wall and sank to the floor slowly, whimpering in pain.

I sobbed, "Mom, I'm sorry. I couldn't hold on to anything. Please, just take me with you. I'm begging you. Please take me away."