Chapter 2

David spoke up. "What's your problem? You should be grateful we let you come back. Jenny is my sister, and no one gets to make her leave."

Henry chimed in, "Yeah, don't be so narrow-minded."

Winnie rolled her eyes. Now that she was back with the Shaw family and her parents felt guilty about the past, there was no reason for her to keep her head down anymore.

She shot back, "Are you two nuts? What did I even say? Why are you pouncing on me like this? Even random street dogs aren't this vicious."

David and Henry's faces darkened at her words.

Jenny spoke up, "Winnie, don't blame David and Henry. It's all my fault. If you want to blame someone, blame me."

Winnie shot back, "Why the act? Why are you looking down? Are you tearing up? You know you're a fraud, yet you still have the guts to stay here. Don't play the victim after cashing in."

A snarl twisted Jenny's face. Winnie caught it and felt a rush of satisfaction.

Peter said in a deep voice, "Alright, Winnie, that's enough. We're all family here."

Winnie scoffed, "As I'd dare to call myself family with you guys. No one here treats me like one anyway. Guess I'll go then."

With that, she turned to leave, but Emily quickly grabbed her arm. "Winnie finally made it home. What are you guys trying to do? Just let her say what she wants."

The ones who had argued with Winnie let out cold snorts.

Winnie knew that playing the meek girl would only invite more attacks. It was better to drop the act, show her teeth, and go toe-to-toe with them. If things got messy, so be it. She wasn't afraid of mutual destruction.

She was new in town, a clueless country girl who didn't care about their rules, and she wasn't about to start learning now.

At dinner, Winnie piled her plate with everything that looked good and tore through it like she hadn't eaten in days.

David sneered, "Who eats like that? Aren't you embarrassed? Seriously, where are your manners?"

Winnie put down her fork and knife. "If you'd grown up out in the boonies like me, you'd be lucky to hit five-three. And you'd lick the plate clean."

Jenny said, "Winnie, David's only looking out for you."

Winnie kept her head down and kept eating. She wasn't stupid. Why pass up a table full of good food to take their crap?

After dinner, the Shaws made a show of discussing where Winnie would sleep.

Jenny played the martyr. "Why don't I give Winnie my room? I'll take the attic."

Winnie was stunned. "What are you even trying to pull? This place is massive. Are you seriously saying there's only one room for me, and it has to be yours? Why bother with all this?"

Jenny looked embarrassed and aggrieved. "Sorry, Winnie, I didn't mean to upset you."

Emily stepped in. "Alright, Winnie, I'll get you your own room. No need to argue with your sister about it."

Winnie had thought Emily was one of the few who actually cared. Now she saw which way the wind blew.

She said coldly, "I never tried to take it from her. If she wants it, let her have it." Then she smiled. "I'll take whatever room, Mom."

Winnie figured she should play nice for now and rack up some points.

But she couldn't help thinking her parents hadn't even bothered to get her room ready. That said plenty about how much they cared.

Realizing Winnie wasn't the type to take any crap, the Shaws gave her a spacious room with great sunlight and a prime location to keep her from making a scene.

Winnie was 17, about to start her junior year. Emily had already moved her transcripts to the best public school in the district.

High school in the city was a whole different world. Winnie didn't have to clock in at dawn or stay until dark.

Back home, she had been up at 5 a.m. for mandatory study hall, classes stacked back-to-back, teachers watching her like a prisoner. If she spoke out of turn, they hauled her to the office.

Here, she had free periods, elective choices, and actual daylight. Finally, she could breathe.