Cassie sat quietly on the edge of her bed, watching Jazmine, who was staring down at the floor, her fingers knotted together in her lap.
"You never told me you had an abortion," Cassie said softly. "Three times, Jazmine. That's… that's a lot."
Jazmine's voice was barely a whisper. "I know. I didn't know how to tell anyone."
Cassie looked at her, pain flashing in her eyes. "I thought we were close. Like—really close. We've been through everything together, Jaz. Why wouldn't you tell me something that big? We practically grew up together."
"I just—I'm not good at talking about stuff like that. I didn't want James to find out. I knew if I told you, you'd probably feel like you had to tell him. And I was scared he'd never look at me the same."
Cassie's expression softened, and she reached out, pulling Jazmine into a hug.
Jazmine's voice cracked as she whispered, "I feel bad, you know? For all the children I never gave a chance to. I didn't even think… What if I aborted girls? Girls like me. Like Blair. How many victims do you think Oliver has out there?"
Cassie hugged her tighter. "Too many. And none of them deserve what he did."
There was a pause, then Cassie murmured, "And I just keep proving to Blair that I'm not her sister. The way I act—like she's some outsider, like she's always the problem… I keep messing up."
"You're trying," Jazmine said, her voice gentle. "We both are."
---
---
The hallway was quiet when Lily padded upstairs with a cup of chamomile tea in hand. She paused in front of Blair's door, lightly knocked, and slowly opened it.
Inside, the warm glow of a bedside lamp spilled softly across the room. Maddie was curled up on the bed, asleep under a blanket, while Blair sat cross-legged by the window, a book open in her lap. Her eyes shifted up, surprised to see Lily.
"Hey," Lily said gently, walking in.
"Hey, Mum," Blair responded, closing the book.
Lily sat beside her, placing the tea on the nightstand. Then, without another word, she wrapped her arms around Blair. Tightly. Protectively.
"I'm so sorry you went through that, baby," Lily whispered into her hair. "I feel so bad. But I'm also so proud of you—for defending yourself."
Blair held onto her. "Thank you, Mum."
Lily pulled back slightly, her eyes searching Blair's. "When I married Victor, I really thought this would be your fresh start. A new home. A happier life. But now? The things that have happened here... they're worse than anything back home. I can't help but feel like I failed you."
Blair shook her head, reaching for Lily's hand. "Don't say that, Mum. You love Victor, and he makes you happy. And your happiness? It's more important to me than anything else."
Lily's lips trembled as she smiled. Blair continued, "Besides, all this? It's just part of life as a teenager. Drama and heartbreak—it would've happened no matter where we lived."
Lily let out a shaky chuckle. "Are you sure I'm the mom in this relationship?"
Blair laughed softly. "I wonder that sometimes."
They embraced again, and Lily kissed Blair on the cheek. "Good night, sweetie."
"Good night, Mum."
As Lily left the room, gently closing the door behind her, Blair looked back down at her book—but this time, with a small smile on her face.
---
The sun peeked through the curtains of Blair's room, casting soft light across the floor. Maddie stretched with a yawn, sitting up on the bed. Blair, already awake, was rolling out her yoga mat.
"Yoga?" Maddie squinted, amused.
"Yeah. My brain's been spinning all night. Thought it might help."
Maddie rolled her eyes but got up. "Fine. Let's stretch our trauma away."
As they moved through poses, Maddie grinned. "I think Caleb and I will actually talk today. Like really talk. Set things straight."
Blair nodded. "That's good. Clear the air. Maybe lay some ground rules."
"Exactly. Time to boss him around again," Maddie said, tossing her hair dramatically.
After their mini yoga session, both girls showered and started getting dressed in front of the wide mirror by Blair's dresser.
Blair slipped into a soft sage-green cropped sweater and high-waisted beige pants. Her curls were left loose, slightly defined from the steam of the shower, falling naturally around her shoulders. She added a simple chain and tiny hoops.
Maddie chose a white tank tucked into a sleek leather mini skirt, throwing on an oversized denim jacket. She pulled her hair into a messy bun with two strands framing her face, adding gold bangles and a bold lip gloss.
"We look fine," Blair said, bumping shoulders.
"Caleb and James are not ready for this jelly," Maddie smirked.
They headed downstairs, laughing—until Maddie froze on the last step.
Blair followed her line of sight. The dining room table was filled—Victor, Lily, Cassie, Jazmine, James, Caleb, and Andrew were already seated. But beside Caleb sat a stranger—a pretty girl with long auburn braids and caramel-toned skin.
Maddie whispered sharply, "Oh my gosh."
Blair leaned in. "Who is she?"
They forced smiles and chorused a polite, "Good morning," as they found their seats.
"Morning, girls," Lily said brightly.
Victor, mid-bite, set down his fork. "Actually, we've got a bit of news. Lily and I are heading to Florida for about a month."
"A month?" Cassie groaned. "When were you going to tell us?"
"We're telling you now," Victor replied with a grin. "It's for work. Unexpected. Caleb, Andrew, James—you'll be staying here. Online classes, keep things running. I don't want the girls home alone, especially with that psycho still lurking."
Lily added, "Also, no fights or arguments, okay? We're trusting you all."
Caleb raised his brows. "She's talking about you girls," he teased.
Cassie narrowed her eyes. "Ha. Ha."
"And when exactly are you leaving?" Jazmine asked.
"In about an hour," Victor said, sipping his coffee.
The table erupted with overlapping complaints—"You're kidding!" "You're seriously just dropping this now?" "Do we get souvenirs at least?"
Victor chuckled, then turned to the girl next to Caleb. "Oh—and Sarah, you're welcome to stay as long as you want."
The girl, Sarah, gave a tight smile. "I won't stay for long."
Victor gestured around the table. "Sarah, this is my wife Lily, Caleb's mum, and our beautiful daughter, Blair."
Blair blinked. Our daughter?
She glanced at Victor. He didn't say Lily's daughter—he said our.
That simple word landed softly in her chest. It had been a while since she felt... fathered.
Sarah smiled. "Hey, Blair. I'm Sarah."
"Hi," Blair returned politely, her smile small but kind.
Victor added casually, "Sarah is Caleb's... was Caleb's girlfriend. Now they're just friends."
Blair raised an eyebrow. Ohhh. So that's why Maddie froze like a popsicle.
As if on cue, Lily rose. "We'll go get packed."
Victor stood. "Kids, try not to destroy the house."
The parents disappeared upstairs, and the table sat in silence, save for the soft clinking of forks and knives.
Blair glanced at Maddie beside her—tight jaw, eyes fixed on her toast.
This was going to be an interesting month.
---