Chapter 4

I was left flat on my back, alone on the floor.

Right in front of me, a pair of elegant designer heels appeared.

Dakota's voice came out sweet and coy. "My dear sister, do you want me to tell you where it is?"

When they threw me out of the Moore family, I wasn't even allowed to attend Mom's funeral.

To this day, I still didn't know where she was laid to rest.

I looked up, feeling utterly dead inside.

"What do you want?" I asked.

Dakota bent down and whispered in my ear, "You called me pathetic earlier. I really didn't like that.

"I want you to slap yourself a thousand times. Then maybe I'll forgive you."

I staggered to my feet.

I raised my hand and brought it down hard on my own face again and again.

I lost track of time.

Finally, Dakota gave a satisfied nod and slipped a piece of paper into my hand. An address.

She said, "Should've done this sooner, Natalie. You never stood a chance against me. Don't be late. If Philip sees you and kicks you out, don't expect me to help."

*****

Before dawn, I made my way up the mountain path.

Along the way, I picked some wild daisies. Mom's favorite flowers.

There was so much I wanted to tell her. Words I'd been holding in for years.

But just as I reached the top, something caught my eye not far away. A patch of vivid red.

My heart lurched.

I hurried over in a few quick strides.

Then I saw it. Mom's gravestone.

It was covered in bright red paint, dripping everywhere.

Brushes and buckets were tossed around. The whole place was a mess.

"No! Mom," I cried.

I grabbed my clothes and started scrubbing. I just wanted it gone.

But no matter how hard I tried, the paint wouldn't come off.

All I did was smear it around. Now my clothes were stained with that same red.

"Philip, who's up there on the mountain?" Dakota called out.

I froze. My whole body went stiff.

I turned around.

Philip's face was frozen in disbelief as he stared at me.

And Dakota was smirking. "It's Natalie. See? I told you she'd never forget Mom. Natalie, what happened? Why are you covered in paint?"

Philip rushed over, completely losing it.

He shoved me aside.

Then he stood there, staring at Mom's gravestone. That bright red paint was everywhere.

His breathing was heavy. His whole body shook as he turned to look at me.

I shook my head frantically.

"Natalie, you are still pretending?" he yelled. "What did Mom ever do to you? Even now, after she's gone, you still have to humiliate her. Apologize to Mom!"

He seized me by the nape of my neck and slammed my head against the platform in front of Mom's gravestone again and again.

The sharp pain in my forehead made me blurt out, trying to defend myself. "Philip, it wasn't me."

"Shut up! You're still lying? Right in front of Mom? Apologize right now!" he roared.

Tears welled up and spilled over.

How did I forget? Philip stopped trusting anything I said a long time ago.

My consciousness started to fade.

My lips moved on their own, repeating "I'm sorry" as Philip demanded.

Finally, he let go and tossed me aside.

He said, "Natalie, from now on, I never want to see you again. Whether you live or die, it's none of my concern."

Then he turned and walked away with Dakota. He left me there alone.

Inside, I answered quietly, "I'm done. You'll never have to see me again."

I don't know how long I lay there.

With what little strength I had left, I forced myself up.

I crawled over to Mom's gravestone.

My heartbeat slowed.

I reached up and touched Mom's photo.

"Mom, I miss you so much," I whispered. "I'm coming to join you."