Chapter 2
I slumped against the cold door, my heart dropping into my stomach.[]
Mom was crying on Uncle Gabriel’s shoulder.[]
He rubbed her back softly. “Hey, don’t cry. Remember what the doctor said? Stress is bad for the baby.“]
Mom slowly stopped crying and actually smiled a little.[]
“You’re right. We’re gonna have this perfect little angel–nothing like that nightmare.“]
Those words felt like someone punched me in the chest. I couldn’t breathe.
“What are you doing sneaking around listening to grown–up stuff?”
I whipped around and there was Grandma with her fancy cane, looking like the witch from every scary story.
I ran back to my room and locked the door tight.[]
Next morning the butler smashed through my door and dragged me to the living room.[]
I hit the cold marble floor hard. Party ribbons were tangled everywhere and the fancy table still had leftover food all over it.]
I hugged my empty stomach–I was so scared and hungry.[]
Then all these adults came walking through like I was a piece of furniture.[]
Grandma pointed her cane at me. “Car’s waiting. Let’s go.” “0
Mom was holding Uncle Gabriel’s arm. She looked right through me like I was invisible.[]
“Just seeing her face makes me sick.”
Gabriel squeezed her hand. “Then don’t look. Come on, let’s get some air outside.“[]
- me.
They started walking away without saying anything to me.
Nobody asked if I was okay. Nobody cared at all.[]
But I held onto this little doll I’d been sewing all night, my nails digging into my hands.[]
“Mom, wait! I made you something.“[]
Mom stopped and gave me this really annoyed look.
Uncle Gabriel hesitated, then took the tiny cloth doll.]
“It’s supposed to be me,” I whispered. “So when I’m gone you won’t be alone.“[]
Mom’s face went crazy angry. She grabbed the doll and threw it on the floor![]
Then she started stomping on
with her high heels, totally losing it.[]
Grandma slammed her cane down and yelled at me.]]
“Are you trying to upset her? Is that what you want?“]]
“She’s having a real baby now. She doesn’t need some little problem child!“[]
My heart felt like it was getting ripped apart. I was crying but not making any noise.[]
I looked at the dining room one more time.[]
“Mom? Can I have just one bite of cake?“[]
“You promised when your plan worked you’d throw me a birthday party. With people singing and dancing…“[]
I thought maybe yesterday was it.“[]
11.20
and she jerked back like I’d burned her, then basically ran for the door.
sive, freaked–out Rottweiler came barreling into the room, growling low and charging straight at her.
just jumped in front of Mom. The dog’s fangs tore into my arm and the pain was so intense everything went white. I could barely stay
eding arm, her voice all shaky. “Why would you–“[
Team from the pain. “I remembered you’re scared of dogs…“]]
Espoon is her face got soft and she almost touched me.[]
we you waiting for?!“|]
ut of here before she makes Miss Isabella even more upset!“[]
d at the butler and looked at me like I was the dangerous animal.[]
ike maybe she felt bad for me. 0
rabbed her arm really tight. “What did you promise me?”
take around and you’ll lose everything you worked for! Is that worth it?!“]
tched in Mom’s brain. Her face went ice cold and whatever tiny bit of caring I saw just froze and died.]
with my good arm, hoping she’d hug me.[]
riel picked me up instead.[]
is car and drove really fast. The pain made me pass out, and when I woke up we weren’t at a hospital.[]
g outside these huge iron gates with “St. Catherine’s Academy” carved in stone.[]
