Chapter 4

Mom and Dad were sorting through Owen's things, talking about what to keep in his memory.

And still, no one thought of me.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. It was the little girl from next door coming to play with me.

I thought surely Mom and Dad would realize I was missing now. But Mom only told her I was out playing and sent her away.

Before the girl left, Mom even gave her my favorite bunny hair tie. That was Grandma's birthday gift to me. It was my most precious possession. Mom and Dad knew how much I loved it.

Dad frowned. "That doesn't seem right. Ivy really loves that hair tie."

Mom's mouth twisted into a strange smile. "I did it on purpose. She killed my son. She should lose everything she loves too.

"And this is nowhere near enough. When she gets back, I'm going to beat her senseless.

"That little brat is clever. She knows we're going to punish her, so she's hiding."

It seemed Dad still thought about me, at least. That night, he quietly left ten dollars on my bed.

I thanked Dad over and over from above. But he never came to my room again after that. He never noticed that the ten dollars went untouched.

One afternoon, Grandma suddenly called.

She said she missed me and wanted to talk to me. Hearing Grandma's voice made me want to cry so badly. I missed her too.

But Mom started screaming at Grandma over the phone. "You old hag, this is all your fault! You sent that little brat here, and now my son is dead because of her!

"How should I know where she went? Maybe she ran off with some guy. She puts on that pitiful act, and men just eat it up."

I tried desperately to explain that it wasn't true. I wasn't that kind of girl.

She shouldn't say that about me. What if Grandma believed I had turned bad? She'd be so disappointed.

But no one could hear my cries. I was just a soul.

That evening, Mom and Dad were packing up Owen's clothes when Grandma showed up at the door. Watching Grandma limp along, I paced frantically. I wanted so badly to go down and help her.

"Where's my granddaughter? Did you lose her?" Grandma asked.

"No, Mom, don't worry. She just went out to play," Dad replied, sounding guilty.

But Mom's expression was defiant. "I already told you, didn't I? She probably latched onto some man. From the day she was born, I knew she was a little seductress—"

Before she could finish, Grandma struck her across the face. "I've put up with how you treat me, but you will not talk about Ivy like that!

"My Ivy isn't that kind of girl. Since you won't take proper care of her, I'm taking her home with me right now.

"What kind of people are you? You call yourselves parents? Your child is missing, and you don't even care.

"Aiden Rivera, you find my granddaughter right now. If not, I'm disowning you!"

Grandma, who had never raised her voice at them before, was suddenly furious for my sake. Mom and Dad were startled by Grandma's outburst. They quickly put down what they were holding and went to look for me.

But after searching everywhere, there was no sign of me. Then something seemed to dawn on Dad, and he stared at the freezer.

He grabbed Mom's hand, trembling. "Did you forget to let Ivy out?"

Mom's face went pale with fear. "No way. That clever little brat should have gotten out on her own by now.

"Wait. I don't think I've seen her once these past few days. But she must have been lying low…"

They both rushed toward the freezer. When they reached the door, they hesitated. After a long moment, Dad yanked it open.

They both froze at the sight before them and screamed.