Reaching behind me, I see the knife that Mom had been using to cut up strawberries to set atop her cupcakes, and I reach for it.
I wouldn’t hurt my father, even after all he’s done to me, but I point it toward him in threat, and I mouth the words,take her from me, and I’ll shove this through my chest.
He can’t take her from me. Not right now when I need her most.
Not ever.
CHAPTER 59
Dollie—present day
Admiring the newly plastered wall, a wave of relief crashes over me.
“Thank you so much, Nyx.” I wrap my arms around him in an uninvited hug after he clears away his paddle mixer and trowel.
He’d been nice enough to come over and plaster over Ambrose’s words as soon as he could after Annabelle messaged him about my meltdown over them earlier today.
“It’s fine.” He smiles a smile that doesn’t meet his eyes.
“I know how it looks.”
“That’s between you two. Unless you want to talk about it?”
“I can’t.” I sigh. “People don’t get it.”
“As long as you do, that’s what matters. For what it’s worth, I think he acted out of pain here. I think he’s struggling.”
“Have you spoken with him?”
“No. I’ve just seen him around town, and he looks a little lost.” He pinches my chin like I’m much younger than I am.
My response is to sneeze all over him.
“You okay?” he asks as I wipe my snot from his arm with the back of my sleeve.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s fine, Dollancie. Worse things have happened to me.”
“But still.”
“It’s fine. Are you unwell?”
“I feel terrible. That’s my brother’s fault, too. Taking me out in the rain.”And giving me his coat and picking me a flower.
God, I am broken.
So broken, I don’t feel the tears on my cheek again until Nyx wipes them away.
“He slept with someone, Nyx.” I let my eyes close, hoping the admission would be easier. “I’m sure he did, and it hurt me, and I know as a sibling, I shouldn’t care. But siblings don’t act like us. I know I shouldn’t care.”
Tight arms wrap around me and pull me into a hug. “No judgment here, Dollancie.”
“Am I awful? I commented on his image.”
“You’re not awful. You acted out of pain. You’re both doing it.” Nyx points a thumb over his shoulder toward the wall.
I nod and sneeze again, then cough.
