Chapter 9

Nellie's lips trembled. She reached out, wanting to touch Daisy's hair, but Daisy flinched and instinctively dodged her hand, staring at her in pure terror. The calm expression Nellie had been holding finally faltered. I knew that feeling better than anyone—the ache of reaching for someone you loved, only to be pushed away. Nellie bit her lip and forced the words out. "Horatio… is dead." My mother's eyes went wide instantly. "What did you just say?" Without warning, Nellie dropped to her knees before my mother. "I'm sorry, Mom… It's all my fault… I…" Her words dissolved into sobs. My mother lunged forward, slapping her hard, screaming in hysteria. "Give me back my son! He loved you so much, and you did this to him!" The once untouchable, aloof Nellie slumped, letting my mother's anger crash over her. Nellie didn't defend herself. She didn't dodge. She just gripped my mother's hand and brought it to her own face. "Mom, hit me as hard as you need. I deserve it for failing Horat