Page 5 of A Violet Obsession

Except it’s not ours anymore. It’s just a house now.

Full of their things and none of their love.

Emma’s hand tightens painfully around mine as Scott ushers people out, ignoring offers to help clean up. My chest is rising in jerky breaths, and I’m trying my best to fight the tears already blurring my vision.

This can’t be happening. It’s not real. I’m going to wake up any second now.

My mom is going to come around the corner and tell me dinner’s ready. My dad is going to ask me about my homework.

Any second now.

“Lily,” Emma whimpers, and the sound of her voice cracks something open inside me because it feels so wrong. Emma yells, shouts, and cries. She doesn’t make small noises.

I can’t breathe, and I can’t let go of her hand.

Once I let go, it’s over. Everything I have left that feels safe walks out that door with her and her mother.

The weight on my chest is unbearable.

“Emma, sweetie, it’s time to go.”

“No.” Emma’s lip is wobbling harder than mine, and her face is streaked with tears.

“Emma.” Her mother’s voice is barely louder than a whisper. She steals a glance over her shoulder to where Scott is watching us, then says in a firmer voice, “Emma, it’s time to go.”

For a second, I honestly think Emma is going to physically fight her mom when Mrs. Markham tries to pull her hand from mine. Emma’s grip tightens so hard I think she might break my fingers.

“Emma Markham.” Her mother’s voice is harsh, but I can see the look in her eyes. She doesn’t want to do this.

I force my hand to open, making Emma let go. My fingers feel cold immediately.

She looks at me and then at her mother. “Why can’t she stay with us? Please, Mom,” she sobs so hard the words barely come out. “Please keep her.”

“I’ll be good. I’ll never cause a problem. I can cook and clean and⁠—”

I’m not sure where the words come from. They don’t even sound like my voice. They sound like someone begging, and some faraway part of me knows I should be embarrassed, but I’m not. I’ll say anything. I’ll promise anything.

Just don’t leave me, too.

Mrs. Markham pulls me in so tight that my air is temporarily cut off. When she releases me and sets me back, her eyes are red and full of tears. “I wish that was how it worked. You are a wonderful young lady and—” Her voice breaks, and she bites her lip so hard I see a spot of white.

She can’t finish the sentence.

She doesn’t have to.

Scott joins us, offering a slick smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Sorry, girls. I wish I could move my business from Atlanta, but it’s just not an option. We’re only a few hours away, though, and you can still talk.”

“That’s right,” Mrs. Markham agrees, her smile a little more natural now. “And you can visit.”

“Sure. Whenever you want.” Scott holds the front door open for them.

He’s lying. I think Mrs. Markham sees it, too.

Emma sobs the entire way to their car, her mother practically carrying her. I watch from the doorway until the taillights disappear, and I keep watching for several minutes more, praying that if I stand here long enough, they’ll turn around and come back for me.

They don’t come back.

When I finally step back inside, I press my spine flat against the foyer wall.