"This medicine doesn't even look that good. Joel, take me to get something better tomorrow, okay?"
He didn't scold her. He crossed the room in two long strides, took her hand, his face soft with concern.
"Careful, you'll cut your feet. Trash like this—who cares if it's ruined."
Then he turned to me, and everything in his eyes was disgust and impatience.
"Pauline, do you have any idea how unhinged you look right now?"
"Lily was just borrowing the bathroom. Was that really worth trying to kill her over?"
I looked down at the pills crushed across the floor.
I'd gone to three different hospitals for those. Begged for them. They were the pregnancy medicine I'd spent weeks trying to get.
Now they were ground into powder under their feet.
I didn't make a scene. Didn't scream or interrogate him the way I used to.
I just zipped my suitcase shut and picked it up.
"Finish up and get some sleep."
I stepped around them and headed for the door.
Lillian stuck her foot out and tripped me hard.
I stumbled forward, barely catching myself. The suitcase cracked against the doorframe.
A dull ache dragged through my lower belly.
Joel's hands shot out to steady Lillian. He didn't even glance my way.
"Lily, are you okay? She didn't bump into you, did she?"
Lillian leaned into his arms, shaking her head, all grievance.
"I'm fine. It's just... Pauline seemed really angry."
I steadied myself and looked back at the two of them.
"I'm not angry."
"Dead people don't have anything to be angry about."
Joel stiffened.
He hadn't expected that from me.
His brow creased, his voice sharper now.
"Who the hell are you cursing this late at night?"
"You want to throw a fit, go do it at your parents' place. Get out of my sight."
I didn't answer. I carried my suitcase downstairs.
Lillian followed me out anyway.
She leaned against the second-floor railing, looking down at me.
"Leaving already, Pauline?"
"Oh, that necklace you're wearing is pretty. Joel said you hardly ever put it on."
"Why don't you give it to me? Think of it as a little welcome gift for the baby."
I stopped.
That necklace was the only thing my mother left me.
Joel came out and followed Lillian's gaze down to my throat.
"It's just some old necklace. Lily wants it, so take it off and give it to her."
He said it like it was obvious. Like I was just a thing in this house, and things don't get to say no.
I tilted my head up and looked at the man I'd loved for five years.
"It was my mother's. It's all I have left of her."
Joel let out a cold, dismissive scoff.
"Your mother's been dead for years. What's the point of hanging on to some piece of junk?"
"Take it off. Don't make me do it myself."
Lillian was already coming down the stairs, quick and eager.
She walked right up to me and grabbed for it without a second's hesitation.
The thin silver chain bit into my skin, leaving a raw red line across my neck.
I didn't fight her.
A sharp snap.
The chain broke.
Lillian clutched the necklace in her fist and dangled it in front of me, triumphant.
"Thanks, Pauline. The chain's a little dated, but it'll do with my dress tomorrow."
Joel walked over and slid his arm around her waist.
"You're this happy over a cheap necklace? Tomorrow I'll take you to the auction. Pick out whatever you want."
I touched the welt on my neck.
It burned.
But not a fraction as much as what burned inside me.
"If you like it, keep it."
My voice was so calm it frightened even me.
"I hope you wear it always."
I pushed the front door open and walked out into the cold dark.
