“It’s all my fault. The bracelet Julia just gave me… I dropped it. I’m so clumsy.”
Caleb held her hand, speaking with a tenderness sweet enough to melt sugar.
“It’s not your fault. That thing was unlucky to begin with. It’s good that it broke.”
I froze.
The only thing my sister left me before she died had been dismissed as something ominous.
My fingers turned icy as I gripped the handle of my suitcase. I didn’t dare look at the two pretenders in front of me for another second. If I stayed any longer, I would be sick to my stomach.
I was just about to leave when my phone suddenly vibrated.
“Julia, come to the hospital now. Your father… he’s been beaten and crippled…”
My mother’s voice trembled with tears, nearly choking.
The living room fell silent.
Heidi and Caleb heard everything, yet neither of them said a word of concern. Not even the slightest hint of guilt crossed their faces.
I didn’t spare them another glance. I ran straight out the door.
By the time I rushed to the hospital, my legs were already giving out.