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Chapter 51
Cherry. Pie.
My father’s favorite dessert.
And there was absolutely no universe in which Vivian knew that on her own.
Not unless someone told her.
Or overheard.
My jaw tightened, thoughts running back to Ellie when she used to scribble everything about me, my family, in a notebook.
“Vivian,” I said slowly, “how did you know about my father’s”
She blinked at me with mock innocence. “Oh, I just… remembered you mentioning it.”
I didn’t. Never have to her.
“Here,” Vivian smiled, rasing it. “I-”
A sharp crash cut her off.
The pie dish hit the floor, exploding across the tiles in a mess of syrup, crust, and broken ceramic. The whole hallway went dead silent, student stopped walking, staring.
Vivian froze. Completely. And I was…not surprised.
My hand moved to my face with a sigh as my mother, standing right in front of her was still smiling coldly, her hand still out stretched.
She tilted her head, lips curving into a cold smile. “Whoops,” she cooed, voice dipped in honey and venom. “My hand slipped. So sorry.”
Yeah. Bullshit, mommy.
She continued, voice dripping ice. “But really, it’s no shame. We watch our figures in this family. You actually might consider doing the same little, er well, girl… I mean, if you’re even remotely interested in my son. Besides, we can’t possibly know what you put in there, used the right ingredients…or even…” She glanced at Vivian’s hands. “Use proper sanitation. Maybe wash up better before approaching us. Put on some more makeup. Oh, but, not too much.Although, cakey is better then pie.”
Vivian’s face drained of color.
Even I felt the blow. Ouch. She did hold back.
“Mother,” I snapped, but she waved me off with wink like I was in her cruelty.
“Mrs. Hale-I didn’t- I didn’t mean-“Vivian dropped to her knees, scrambling to pick up shards with her bare hands. “I’m so, so sorry-”
My mother clicked her tongue. “Ah, okay, see? A filthy girl, crawling on the floor like a servant. I mean what are you doing? Have some decorum.”
“Mother,” I started. “That was-”
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My father held his hand up, silencing me as he took my mother’s hand. “We should be going, son. Come along as soon as you finish up with your little….project.”
You know, I hadn’t expected them to like Vivian. But this?
This seemed a bit… extreme, even for them.
My mother swept past me without waiting for a response, my father after her like a shadow, nose so high he nearly tripped over the mess.
But for a few seconds, I just… stood there.
Then Vivian sniffled, her breath shaking, and that snapped me back.
“Hey-I’m sorry.” I crouched beside her, catching her wrists before she cut herself. “Stop. You’re going to tear your hands open. I can handle it. They just…they want what’s best for me. And sometimes that makes them suck. A lot.”
She blinked up at me with watery eyes. “I… I just wanted them to like me.
Gods. I felt bad, even if Vivian had been getting on my nerves
“I know,” The glass clinked in my hand. “But they rarely like anyone. It’s just got they are. It’s annoying, but they are mine.”
I pulled the shards into a pile while Vivian wiped at her tears with the back of her hand.
Over her shoulder, movement caught my eye.
…Ellie?
Standing at the end of the hall. She was…watching.
Our eyes locked.
And everything inside me went tight.
I lowered my brow.
Spying are we?
I glanced to her sister next to me. Maybe seeing Vivian cry would finally soften her. That she’d step in, help her. Or look concerned. Or something.
But Ellie just stared.
Expression flat, cold.
Then, she scoffed with this smirk.
What the-?
“Ah,” I hissed, my hand cutting on the glass.
“Oh gods!” Vivian whimpered. “You’re hurt!”
But I felt a million miles away, my thumb pressing into the blood, eyes wide. I glanced back up but she was gone. My lips pulled between my teeth.
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She wasn’t going to aid me? Really?
Vivian sniffled beside me, bringing me back. “We should get you some help…Come on.”
I let her lead me, not sure of much anymore.
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