“No,” I say, my voice firm and unwavering. “No.”
Travis turns me and we leave, Chief’s bellow of rage following us out the gate.
I have a sister.
A sister.
Why does it feel like everything is unraveling all at once?
“HEY NOW, YOU NEED TOeat.”
I turn to face Travis, and his expression is concerned. He brought me back to his house, but I haven’t said a word since we came in. He has been making food, letting me sit in my silence. The world beneath me just shattered. My father, my mother—everything’s collapsing in my chest. Pain claws at me.
“Baby, come on. Eat for me?”
I look up at him. My throat burns. I swallow, nod, and force a bite of the sandwich he’s set before me. I haven’t eaten enough today, considering how much I drank last night, so I know it’s important I do, but each bite tastes like I am swallowing sandpaper. My heart aches, so much. Everyone I love seems to have so many secrets, and they’re all unraveling at once.
“He loves you, Violet. He’s been frantic trying to reach you.”
“He lied to me for God knows how long. He has another daughter—and he lied.”
Travis’s eyes soften but his voice stays firm. “Might be more complicated than that.”
“Did you know?” I say, looking up at him.
“No,” Travis says, and his voice is firm. “No, I didn’t.”
I nod.
“You need to call your mom. She’s been blowing up my phone.”
I exhale. “She knew, too, and didn’t tell me. Nobody tells me anything.”
Travis goes silent.
I pick up my phone. There are so many missed calls I don’t even bother to scroll through them. My fingers tremble. I press my thumb to Mom’s number. She picks up on the first ring.
“Violet, baby. I am so sorry you found out that way.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Her voice cracks. I can hear the tears she swallows.
“I didn’t want to hurt you. Caden adores you, and you love him...”
“He has a daughter, Momma. I have a sister. You didn’t think I had a right to get to know her?”
“Jasmine isn’t... she isn’t the kind of sister you want, honey.” Her voice gets weary. “She’s been trouble since the day Caden found out.”
I feel nauseous remembering that cold smile Jasmine gave me when she burst in tonight.
“That doesn’t matter. I had a right to know. You and Chief kept it from me. Is that why you left?”
“Yes and no, it was more complicated than that.”
“How could he do that to us?”
She goes silent, and I know my words bring a pain she doesn’t want to feel.
