The buzzer at the door beeped before a loud click was heard. Tiffany pushed the door open and entered. Brooke hurried behind her sister and closed the door. Remembering the few times she’d been inside this house before, she braced herself for the overwhelming blast of the strongest cleaning chemicals she’d ever inhaled. She quickly covered her nose with her hand, slowly taking shallow breaths, until she could get accustomed to the foul odor.
Tiffany didn’t hesitate and headed for the library. Brooke had no idea why Robin called the room with a pool table, a big screen TV, and a sidebar, thelibrary. If Brooke were to guess how many books were in that room, she’d be exaggerating to guess ten. There were probably less than that.
As they passed the small hallway where Uncle Tony’s study was located, Brooke glanced in that direction. Her stomach twisted, and the rhythm of her heart sped faster. She was so close, she couldn’t chicken out now.
They entered the library. Robin lay on the white couch, wearing black leggings over a knitted black tunic with scooped neck. The tall, blonde, model-looking woman hugged a pink teddy bear, with a box of tissues next to her. Sitting on the nearby coffee table was a box of milk chocolates. Robin had always bragged that her chocolates were imported from Switzerland, which was why she never shared.
Brooke rolled her eyes at her cousin’s pathetic display. Too bad Robin wasn’t an actress. She’d receive an Academy Award for her acting this time.
Sorrowful eyes looked at Tiffany as Robin’s pout deepened, but when she saw Brooke, her expression hardened.
“What isshedoing here?” Robin snapped.
Tiffany hurried to their cousin and knelt by the couch. “Robbie, she’s here to give you support... just as I’m going to do.”
“Whatever.” Robin sat up and leaned over to retrieve a piece of chocolate.
Brooke cleared her throat. “I... feel just awful for what happened.” She breathed slowly. That sentence was very difficult to say. “If there is anything I can do—”
“Seriously?You?”
Robin’s voice rose three levels, and Brooke was surprised that a mirror didn’t crack, or a crystal didn’t shatter.
“Now, Robbie,” Tiffany said as she patted their cousin’s leg. “Give her a chance.”
Robin shot Brooke a murderous glare. Already Brooke could see her cousin was going to show her true colors in front of Tiffany. Maybe this might be an eye-opener for Brooke’s sister since she’d always taken Robin’s side.
“I’m more depressed than I’ve ever been before,” Robin retorted, “and you bring a... a...baby-killerto try and cheer me up?”
Brooke fisted her hands by her sides. Anger filled her quickly. She had promised Tiffany not to upset their cousin, but Robin had already reached a point in their conversation where Brooke couldn’t hold back her feelings any longer. She would not cower in front of her cousin ever again!
Brooke took two steps toward Robin before Tiffany threw Brooke a warning glare. She ignored her sister.
“I’ve held my tongue for too long.” Brooke lifted her chin, stubbornly. “Robin, I’m sick of the way you have spread gossip around town, and it’s going to stop... even if I have to stuff something in your lying mouth to do it.”
Robin huffed and rose to her feet. Her face turned red. “The sluttybaby-killeris actually threatening me?”
“Not yet, I’m not.” Brooke folded her arms. “I have several witnesses who saw the bruises Chuck left on my body after he beat me in my apartment. Another witness is the neighbor who drove me to the hospital when I was having a miscarriage caused by his beating. I don’t know why you insist on spreading lies, but one of these days, they will catch up to you. In fact, I’m glad Justin Monroe dumped you, because now I know how intelligent the man really is.”
A louder gasp from Robin ripped through the air and she swung her head toward Tiffany. “Are you going to stand there and let her talk to me like this?”
Tiffany wrung her hands as her gaze jumped between Brooke and Robin.
“It doesn’t matter anymore.” Brooke swept her hand through the air. “Robin’s lies will no longer hurt me. In fact, I forgive you for everything you’ve ever said to me out of hate.”
“You forgive me?” Robin threw back her head and laughed. “Oh, that’s big of you.”
“Yes, I forgive you, because you are a mean and hateful person. But you can’t help it, can you? At least I’m kind to others. You will never be that way.” Brooke arched an eyebrow at her cousin. “It looks like I’m the better woman now. I’d like to hear you say something nice – and mean it – for once in your life.”
Robin growled and faced Tiffany. “If you don’t stop her, I swear to you now, I’ll—”
“Don’t worry,” Brooke cut her off. “I’m leaving.” She looked at her sister. “I’ll call for a taxi. You’d better stay here with Robin. She can’t handle it when other people prove they are better than her.”
Hurrying out of the room, Brooke’s breathing quickened, and it had nothing to do with what she’d planned on doing next. Where had she found the courage to say those things to Robin? But she knew her strength came from one source.
Justin Monroe – the man she’d fallen in love with.
Now she’d use her courage to complete her next plan of action, and she prayed her uncle didn’t come home and catch her. Brooke wasn’t sure if he killed family members or not...
