She turned to look at me.
"I did everything I could to protect Nessa, but it turns out I’m not the problem child after all. I handled my shit. Don't worry about me, but Nessa? You need to turn her in and get her checked into a mental facility. If you don't do it, I will. The girl she hit— she's the mayor's daughter."
My mom's eyes widened.
Then she left the room.
Three days later, Cody called me.
I was surprised to see him calling, but I assumed it was regarding Adela.
"Yeah?"
"I made my dad drop the case against you."
I remained quiet.
"Now, I need to talk to your sister."
"Fuck no, you're not."
"Is she home? Because I'm outside."
I walked out my front door and saw him at the gate. "What makes you think I let my sister get off scot-free?"
"I assumed because you protected your ass, so why wouldn't you protect hers?"
"She's at the mental hospital."
"Then take me there."
"My mom will need to come."
He laughed. "Mommy's boy."
"No, she needs to authorize your visit. Nessa isn't allowed visitors because she's mentally unwell."
"Fine, send out your mom."
"You're going to tell her that you and I have no beef."
"Don't worry, Theo." He ended the call.
My mom walked down to the gate in her heels and her head extra high. She didn't change when she caught Cody's face—the face of the boy her daughter is in love with, the boy who played her daughter like a puppet.
I walked beside her, and when I reached the gate, I opened it for us.
"You have nerve showing up here, Cody," I said.
He shrugged, looking at my mom. "Hi, Mrs. Rhodes. I'm Cody Ravenshaw."
"I'm aware."
I watched him try to use a professional voice to lessen the tension.
"Your son here put me in a coma," he added.
My mom didn't move an inch. Her eyes stayed on Cody's.
