Mannie’s POV
I should have left earlier.
After Zarah walked off with her posse and her laughter, I knew we’d stayed too long. But my mom wanted to pay respects to Zarah’s mother. She kept saying it was the “right thing to do,” even if our presence wasn’t wanted.
So I stayed.
I stayed and watched my children smile over nothing but juice and biscuits, watched them sit politely while people looked down at them like stray dogs.
I stayed because my mom stayed and I knew she was trying her best to make peace with the past.
But peace wasn’t going to last long.
Not with them around.
"Look who finally made it," I heard someone say from behind.
I didn’t need to turn around to recognize that voice. It was sharp. Sweet on the surface but always hiding a blade underneath.
My sister-in-law.
S
