Chapter 22: Mom Loves Him More Than Me
"ABSOLUTELY NOT."
The shout echoed through the entire house.
A spoon clattered somewhere upstairs.
Mochi sprinted under the couch.
Even the refrigerator seemed alarmed.
Ivy stood frozen in the kitchen doorway while her mother happily continued decorating a cake.
The betrayal was unbelievable.
Historic.
Possibly illegal.
"What do you mean absolutely not?" Grace asked.
"I mean absolutely not."
"To what?"
"Everything."
"That's not an answer."
"It is emotionally."
Grace rolled her eyes.
On the counter sat a giant chocolate cake.
Written across the frosting in beautiful cursive letters were five horrifying words.
WELCOME HOME, ASHER!
Ivy pointed at it.
"What is THAT?"
"A cake."
"I can see that."
"Then why are you asking?"
"WHY IS H
