LOGINThe longer White read the new set of rules Scarlett had given him, the more Violeta felt like they were particularly designed against her.When he got to the living arrangement section, it became blatantly obvious.“Violeta, at the moment, we are trying to maximize the space that we have,” White said blankly. “As you are the only one in your cabin right now, we think that it is better you move somewhere else.”He pointed out the tent she would be living in in a few days from now when the workers moved into their new house.“The tent is large enough for six so you have plenty room. It will also be cleaned before you move in.” White paused for a moment. “That said, factor in the possibility that someone else might move in with you later on.”Hearing that she could actually share her space later with some random person, Violeta could not help but flare up.“What of Lily?” she blurted.White cut in before she could say more. “Lily has moved in with Donna and Lee as of one hour ago. Right
The expression vanished so quickly that Scarlett would have sworn that she imagined it.“Come on. Let me take you to bed,” Leon said and was about to lift Lily when she stepped out of his grasp. “Lily…”Lily turned to Scarlett. “Scarlett, can I stay with you tonight?”Scarlett stared down at Lily for a few seconds, still trying to figure out what she was thinking. “No,” she finally said. “Stay with your parents.”Unexpectedly, Lily did not throw a tantrum. She simply nodded like she had expected that answer and then, walked towards Donna and Lee.“Donna, can I stay with you tonight? I don’t like the other cabin.”Donna looked up at Leon and Violeta. Her gaze then dropped back down to Lily and she smiled warmly. “Sure thing, darling. We will squeeze under the blanket.”Lee held Lily’s hand and Donna held the other one as they walked back to their cabin.Before long, the beach emptied and everyone went to sleep. Scarlett sighed and turned to White. “Come see me in the morning. There are
Scarlett stepped out of Ronald’s greenhouse with Lily soundly asleep in her arms with her head on Scarlett’s shoulder.“Did she eat any of your meals?” she asked Ronald over her shoulder. “I will have Janice reimburse you.”Ronald grunted, not saying anything else.“Thank you for watching her,” Scarlett added afterwards. “I will send some more compensation for that as well.”“...next time she comes, have her bring her own meals,” Ronald finally added in a quiet voice.Scarlett hid her small smile as she agreed. “Of course. I will have Nica bring her the next time with her food.”Scarlett walked back to the beach. When White saw Lily in her arms, his eye twitched once and he turned, stomping back to his cabin.For a moment, Scarlett thought of all the extra errands he had been running these past few weeks without reward. Things that she would usually handle herself.She should add more to the supplies that were usually given to his family.“Lily!” a shrill voice exclaimed and Nica rush
Leon realized at dinner time that he had not seen Lily in hours.Immediately, he rushed back to the cabin, only to find Violeta staring at herself in the mirror as she applied lipstick.He looked around the cabin and saw no sign that his daughter had been in there all day. “Where is Lily?”Violeta did not spare him a glance. “How the hell would I know?” she retorted sharply. “Calm down. There is only so far she can wander out in the base—”“Your job here is to watch her,” Leon snapped. “Have you even seen her since lunch?”Violeta slammed her hand down on the table and got to her feet, turning around to face Leon. “I have had enough with your…hey, where the hell are you going? I am still talking to you!”Leon really did not have the time or the strength to banter with Violeta.The sun had already set and the darker it grew, the more likely that Lily was in danger.No one would be able to know if she wandered up the cliff and out of the base. Or perhaps into the forest and tripped over
Ronald stared down at Lily like she was a bug clinging to him.“Get off,” he said, shaking his leg but she held on tighter, pressing her face into his calf as she sniffled.When she sneezed right onto his pant leg, Ronald let his head fall back, his eyes fluttering shut in irritation. “You little brat,” he muttered before bending down to pick her up.Lily let out a small cry as he placed her in the large bucket that he was carrying and then took her back to his tent with him.“Stay here,” he ordered. “I have to go get water.”Lily nodded, sniffling. Ronald stared at her for a moment longer. “There is food under the bed…don’t eat too much,” he said before closing the door of the tent.Lily remained in her position for a minute and then reached under the bed to grab the warm plate of food hidden there.It looked like the food they had had for lunch. Why was he giving his meal to her?As Lily was still thinking about it, her stomach growled. She opened the plastic container gently and to
Violeta snapped her arm from Leon’s grip. “You do not get to talk to me,” she spat, eyes burning with fury. “Do you hear me?”“And when will you learn to behave yourself?” Leon retorted. “Picking a fight with Scarlett!”“She hurt Lily!”“You know damn well that Scarlett cares more about Lily than you ever have.”Violeta sucked in a sharp breath at the direct words. “I am Lily’s mother,” she spat. “Her family.”“No, you are not,” Leon spat. “Neither you or your sister gave a damn about the three year old you left in the rain. If not for the neighbor back then, Lily would have died from her cold!”Violeta fell silent for a long moment and then finally let out a small scoff. “Well, unfortunately for you and your darling, the little girl wants me.”A smug smirk slid onto her lips. “What?” she spat. “You two cannot face the truth and want to take it out on me? Lily loves me and there is not a damn thing you can do about it.”Violeta even stepped closer, her finger trailing along Leon’s che







