Chapter 38

Giselle looked at Chantelle. "What are you trying to say?" Chantelle lowered her gaze and smiled faintly. "I'm just saying that both Gav and Poppy are their own people. What they want should be up to them, not you, Giselle." As Penelope ate her oatmeal, she said softly, "Mommy Chantelle, I didn't want the mac and cheese myself." Chantelle froze for a second. Her eyes turned sharp as she looked at Giselle. "You've pushed a child so far she has to lie for you, Giselle. You're not fit to be a mother." Even though Penelope didn't completely understand what it meant, she insisted, "It wasn't Mommy's fault. I just didn't want it." The words hit Chantelle like a thunderclap. She had spent half a year by Penelope's side, yet somehow, three brief hours with Giselle outweighed it all. That afternoon, Giselle received a call from the police station. She called Gavin, who told her he would be there soon, and only then did she rush out. But Gavin got tied up in a meeting and couldn't leave