"You don't deserve my apology, Lalaina. I would never apologize to a snake like you!" I spat, the words burning my throat.
Their faces were a mix of disbelief and anger. They could try to force an apology out of me, but I wouldn't give them the satisfaction.
Max, ever the hothead, was about to slap me again, but Lalaina stopped him. "I'll let this slide, Max. I think we need to give her time to grieve and reflect on what she did to Stacey." Her voice was laced with a fake sadness that made my stomach churn.
Max furrowed his brow. "No, she hurt you, and I won't let her do to you what she did to Stacey."
"It's okay, Max. I know you want to protect me, but I'll be fine. I just don't understand why Carrie treats me like I'm not her sister." Carrie's voice cracked, and she looked at Max with a watery-eyed, dramatic plea.
I couldn't help but clap internally at her performance. It was so convincing, so believable. All this time, she'd been putting on a show, and Maximus, my husband, had fallen for it hook, line, and sinker.