Chapter 4

Mom's expression stiffened instantly.

"She's... she's playing in her room," Mom lied, dodging Grandma's piercing gaze.

Grandma didn't say anything, just stared at her daughter.

"Well, that's fine. I'll go see her," Grandma said, her tone dipping low as she sensed something was off.

"Mom!" Mom rushed forward, physically blocking her path.

"Where is Mia? Tell me right now!" Grandma demanded, her voice rising.

"Mia was... throwing another tantrum. I put her in the basement storage room to reflect on her behavior."

Grandma froze.

"What did you just say?" she asked, pronouncing every single word with utter disbelief. "You locked Mia in the basement storage room?"

"You know tomorrow is Thanksgiving..." Mom’s voice dwindled down to a guilty murmur.

"Sarah!" Grandma’s voice shook violently. "Mia is your daughter, too!"

Grandma’s face fell completely. She lunged toward the basement door, but her knees buckled from moving too fast. Mom reached out to catch her, but Grandma violently shoved her hands away.

Mom opened her mouth to explain, but Grandma cut her off fiercely.

"Yes, I know Chloe’s life is tragically short! I know your hearts bleed for her, and you want to give her everything so she has a happy Thanksgiving!"

Grandma’s voice cracked, tears shimmering in her eyes. "But what about Mia? Has Mia's life been easy?! She spent years growing up with strangers before you brought her back! What has she ever received in this house? Absolutely nothing!"

"That poor child has lived off her sister's scraps! And over a single holiday, you actually locked her in a freezing basement storage room?!"

"Mom, I didn't..." Mom stammered, pale and deflated.

"Both of those girls are innocent children! Both of them!" Grandma sobbed. "And what about you two? As her parents, don't you owe Mia anything? Does she not deserve a single shred of your love?!"

Mom slumped into a chair, burying her face in her hands as her shoulders shook uncontrollably.

"And now, you won't even let the sisters see each other one last time?" Grandma's voice turned hoarse. "Mia only had one meeting left with you people! How do you expect her to leave? Full of regret and heartbreak?!"

"I... I didn't mean to..." Mom wept through her fingers. "I just wanted Chloe's last day to be peaceful. I didn't want Mia picking fights..."

"Picking fights? In all these years, have you ever once truly listened to what Mia wanted?!"

I drifted beside Grandma, feeling a burning sensation in my eyes.

"Someone understood." Someone finally understood me.

Ignoring Mom, Grandma walked over to the basement door. She crouched down, whispering toward the dark crack beneath the frame, "Mia, Grandma is right here with you. Don't be scared, sweetheart."

My tears fell freely.

I wanted nothing more than to curl into her lap, but my arms passed straight through her back.

Even Grandma didn't unlock the door.

Because everyone wanted this final day to belong solely to Chloe.

Minutes turned into hours. The candles burned down to melted wax, plunging the house into darkness.

Outside, the sky turned a pale, watery gray. The very first beam of dawn filtered through the window, resting on the wooden floor.

Grandma stood up stiffly and walked over to Chloe's bedroom door. She raised her hand to knock, but paused mid-air.

After a long hesitation, she called out softly, "Chloe, it's time to wake up."

A quiet rustle came from inside. The door creaked open.

"Grandma, Mom, Dad," Chloe murmured, offering a faint, timid smile.

Mom gasped, lunging forward to crush Chloe in a desperate embrace, holding her as though trying to fuse her into her very bones. Dad hurried over too, his trembling hands gently stroking Chloe's hair.

"Chloe..." Mom sobbed, completely wrecked.

"I'm okay, Mom," Chloe said gently, patting Mom's back. "I'm really okay."

Grandma stood to the side, watching in silence. Suddenly, her eyes widened as realization struck, and she spun around toward the basement stairs.

"Mia!" Her voice echoed sharply through the quiet morning. "Hurry, let Mia out!"

Only then did my parents snap out of it. Joy washed over their tear-stained faces. "Yes, yes! Let Mia out! She's still in the basement!"

"Her sister is alive! It's a miracle, an absolute miracle!"

Mom held Chloe's hand, while Dad rushed down the stairs ahead of them. The three of them raced toward the storage room door, smiles lighting up their faces.

Dad reached for the handle and pushed the door open.

In an instant, the color drained completely from his face. He violently yanked his hand back, staggering backward.

"No... wait... Why is it zero?"