I knocked the water cup off the nightstand.
My eyes locked onto Zachery, unblinking.
He was threatening me with my brother.
For the first time, I realized I had never truly known this man I'd spent five years with.
"Zachery, if you lay a single finger on my brother, I will make your life a living hell."
The look in my eyes startled him. He softened immediately. "I was just talking, Ellie. As long as you cooperate, things can go back to the way they were."
I tugged at the corner of my mouth but said nothing.
Back to the way they were?
Zachery was dreaming.
Ten minutes later, the Shepherd family arrived.
They brought a crate of mangoes. The one thing I was severely allergic to.
"Mrs. Barnes, our Gertie knows she was wrong. You're such a gracious woman, surely you won't hold it against a young girl."
"This is just a little something from us. Please, try one?"
The words had barely landed when Gertrude reached out to peel a mango for me, the excitement in her eyes impossible to hide.
So they knew about my allergy. They'd brought them on purpose to torment me.
I couldn't take it anymore.
"Enough! I'm allergic to mangoes. Are you trying to kill me?"