#Chapter 60: The Dollhouse

Agnes The moment Elijah said those words, Thea darted behind my legs and gripped my skirt as if Olivia might whisk her away if she didn’t hold onto me. I didn’t know what to say or do, but feeling her body tense against me made my heart constrict painfully in my chest. Behind her, Olivia stood in the doorway, her lips curved into a tense, unconvincing smile. But her eyes flashed with something closer to irritation than warmth as she looked down at Thea. “Thea, sweetheart,” Olivia tried again, dropping to a crouch and holding her arms out, “it’s just me. Your mommy.” Thea didn’t move. It felt like a knife was twisting in my chest. She was terrified. I could see it in the way her knuckles turned white, her little shoulders hunched up like she wanted to fold into herself and disappear. I reached down instinctively and rested a hand on her back. “Hey, it’s alright,” I murmured, offering Thea a smile. “Look, your mom brought you something. Why don’t you t