But she made me.
I get into the car and scoff to myself.I never liked her.
This is the same woman who told Jessica she was “finally getting a daughter” on our wedding day.
Wait.
My mouth opens as realization dawns.
Was my mother using reverse psychology on me?
I stare at the steering wheel.
I can’t believe she’d be that manipulative.
And I definitely can’t believe it worked because the second I step through the front door and see a suitcase standing by the sofa, my heart drops straight into my stomach.
“Jessica!” I shout, already moving.
I rush down the hallway to our bedroom. Empty.
Panic claws up my chest.
I sprint to the boys’ room. “Jessica!”
Nothing.
My phone is at my ear before I even register dialing her number. It barely rings when the front door opens.
“Let Mommy clean your paw, Bell. Ty, don’t you dare lick that.”
I freeze.
A few seconds later, Jess steps fully inside, juggling leashes and two overexcited dogs. Only then does she notice me standing in the middle of the living room, phone in hand, chest heaving.
“Hey,” she says cautiously.
Bell and Ty swarm my feet, tapping their paws against my legs, whining for attention. I don’t even feel them.
“I thought you left,” I say.
My voice sounds hollow.
“Oh.” She walks into the kitchen and tosses something into the trash. Then she turns on the tap and washes her hands like this is normal. Like my heart didn’t just implode.
I just stand there staring at her.
Ignoring the dogs.
Ignoring the suitcase.
“I… uh… I got the suitcase out of the garage,” she says quietly. “And then I decided to take them on a walk.”
“Why’d you get the suitcase?” I ask.
She doesn’t look at me at first. Just dries her hands slowly.
“I figured…” Her voice trails off. “You sent the boys away. I thought…”
