"I wish Aunt Selena would stay with us forever," he said loudly. Then he leaned closer to the flame. "And I wish wolves like Emma would die a painful death, just like this rat."
I stood in the hallway, rat blood dripping down my dress as everyone returned to their conversations like nothing had happened.
Just as I was about to escape upstairs, Caleb walked over with his face tight with anger.
"Do you have to make a scene at every gathering? Can't you just clean yourself up and join everyone like a normal person?"
He was mad that I'd gotten blood on the imported carpet. Caleb's house was always perfect—hardly anyone could keep it as spotless as I did, which is why I'd even taken home management classes to learn proper cleaning techniques.
Back then, Theo used to follow me around and smile, "Aunt Emma, you make our house so pretty. I want you to stay with us forever."
But somewhere along the way, everything changed. Now, all he wanted was for me to disappear.
Suddenly, thunder cracked outside and rain poured down without warning. The sound echoed through the house, making everyone pause their conversations.