Chapter 4

I stayed at Brent's office until nightfall before I was even halfway myself again.

Standing at the hospital entrance.

I called my best friend.

I couldn't go home.

Whether it was the traces of the life I'd built with Dominic, or the ones with my mother.

Either would send me over the edge.

Jade came, and when she saw me sitting alone on the bench downstairs by the hospital.

She clapped a hand over her mouth and cried.

"My heart breaks for you..."

"It's not like Dominic doesn't know what you've been through, and he still dared treat you like this!"

I hadn't expected it.

In the end it was me comforting her.

Jade kept a room in her home just for me.

The incense burned with the light, sweet scent I loved.

The cute puppy slippers she'd bought me were out of their packaging, set on the floor.

Bath towels, toothbrush, dishes, all readied for me well ahead of time.

"Stay as long as you want. If you never want to go back for the rest of your life, then live here for the rest of your life!"

"Those people, there's no reason you ever need to see them again anyway!"

Who would have thought that the one who ended up standing on my side.

Was someone with no blood tie to me at all.

I couldn't help the small curve of my lips.

Just as I was about to eat my first meal of the day.

I heard Jade's voice from the next room.

"Don't worry, I put sleeping pills in her food.

"She won't wake up before tomorrow night."

I stood at the door she'd left ajar.

And pressed a hand over my mouth.

"Of course, Sera~ I'm Bobby's godmother. There's no way I'd miss Bobby's third birthday party!

"And don't any of you worry, ma'am. Nothing will go wrong tomorrow.

"I've measured out the dose exactly. She'll never find out we're celebrating Bobby's birthday and lose it!

"Mm-hm! Bye, ma'am! Bye, Mr. Mason, bye, Sera!"

The call ended.

Jade walked out beaming.

And met my eyes in the doorway.

"Why?"

I stared at her.

"Ah... you, you heard all of that."

"Why!"

I raised my voice.

Both hands dug into her shoulders.

"When you came to Los Angeles without a cent to your name, I was the one who took you in!

"Why! Why would even you do this to me!

"Why!"

"Enough!"

Jade suddenly shoved me hard.

My lower back cracked against the corner of the cabinet.

And I dropped to the carpet.

"Why? Shouldn't that be a question for you?"

I stared at her, stunned.

"Depression, depression, depression. Who has the energy to sit around playing along with your act every single day!

"You're exhausting, Margery. Everyone's busy. You're the only one who goes to pieces over 'depression' and expects the whole world to revolve around you?"

"An act..."

My voice shook.

Jade let out a cold laugh.

"Stop going on about what happened to you in high school.

"How long ago was that?

"Sera's already admitted she was wrong. What more do you want?"

I couldn't hold back the catch in my throat.

"I never wronged you... I'm the one who begged Dominic to bring you into the company..."

"Right! You got him to take me on as an intern! And it took you a whole week of begging just for that."

Jade spread her hands.

"But one word from Sera, and he made me permanent and promoted me all the way to director!"

I froze.

"You stopped being worth anything a long time ago, Margery.

"Settle down.

"While we've still got the patience, while we're still willing to play along with your act.

"Show a little self-awareness.

"Don't just fall apart on the inside and then dump everything on Sera."

The bedroom door slammed shut in my face.

In this ridiculous life of mine.

The only three people who ever shielded me.

My mother, Dominic, and Jade.

Not one of them stood on my side now.

Jade had made that meal for me with such care.

I didn't touch a single bite.

When I woke the next day.

Jade was already gone.

I tried the door handle.

Locked.

Once the mask was off.

She didn't bother pretending anymore.

I gave a bitter laugh.

And went quietly back to my own room.

That afternoon.

The door was shoved open.

Dominic stood there gripping the child's allergy lab report.

"Margery! What did you do to my son!"

My bedroom door was locked from the inside.

Jade stepped forward.

"Margery! Come out! Don't do it and then hide from it! We all know you tampered with the boy's food!"

No answer.

"I'll go find the key."

Jade turned her head.

Dominic had already kicked at the door.

Bang.

"Margery!"

The door flew open under the kick.

Dominic's breath caught.

I lay quietly on the bed.

The blood at my wrists.

Already dried.