Chapter 2

If this had happened to the old me, Calvin's suggestion would've set off into a full-blown argument. And he knew exactly how short my fuse was. So the second he dropped this decision on me, he made sure to drag Mom and Dad into it.

"Amanda and Hector aren't getting any younger. Taking care of Lou is getting harder for them. It's time we stepped up and—"

Before Calvin could finish, Nathan Quayle rushed to my side, pulling at my arm, his voice desperate.

"Mom, just let Aunt Louella stay with us! If you don't want her living with you guys, I'll give up my room. Mom, please say yes..."

I'd never seen him behave this way since the day he was born. He'd always taken after Calvin, keeping that same stony expression and brushing off my affection with little more than a grunt.

But now? Nathan was ready to sacrifice his own comfort for Louella. My nails bit into my wrist, leaving behind angry red marks. I drew a sharp breath and quietly peeled Nathan's hand away.

"Fine, I'll agree with your suggestion. If there's nothing else, I'm going to rest."

Without another word, I turned and retreated to the bedroom.

As I was half conscious, I heard the door creak open. A rush of cold air swept in. Then came a thud—something had landed by the bedside. But exhaustion pinned me down, my eyelids too heavy to lift.

Through the haze, Calvin's voice reached me. "Jan? Janelle!"

When I didn't respond, he shoved my arm hard. Pain flared through me, jolting me from sleep.

I glared at him. "What?"

My hoarse voice didn't get Calvin's attention. Instead, it only earned me a scolding.

"How do you even have time to sleep with so much to do at home? I made Lou some nourishing soup. I'll take Nate and drop it off first. Remember to clean up the kitchen."

How ridiculous.

After all these years of marriage, I never knew Calvin could even cook. I'd been the one taking care of him all this time, and half the time, he wasn't even satisfied.

I was still lost in my bitter thoughts when Calvin's impatient voice snapped me back. "What are you waiting for? Hurry up!"

I knew Calvin's temper. He was obsessive, especially when it came to Louella. Arguing wasn't worth the energy, so I forced myself up.

Once he saw me obey, he left with Nathan without another word. The second they were gone, I collapsed back onto the bed.

…

Early the next morning, a loud clattering outside startled me awake.

The moment I walked out of the bedroom, Calvin's urgent voice cut through the air. "There's an emergency at work. After you drop Nate off, take some breakfast to Lou."

With a sharp slam, the house went quiet again.

Just as I was setting the food container down on the table, a rush of dizziness hit me out of nowhere. Everything went black, but not before I caught sight of Nathan running toward me.

Maybe, deep down, he still cared about me a little.

…

In the end, it turned out I'd overthought everything. I was still on the ground when I opened my eyes, the chill sinking deep into my muscles and bones.

"Dad, if I hadn't gotten out fast enough, Aunt Louella's breakfast would've gone straight to the trash."

"Good job, Nate! Your Aunt Louella would be thrilled if she knew," Calvin said, running his fingers through Nathan's hair in approval.

Louella was all they talked about. No one even glanced my way as I lay there on the floor.

A sharp, stabbing pain kept tightening in my chest, and the metallic taste of blood clung to the back of my throat. I pushed myself up, my legs wobbling beneath me. The movement made just enough sound for them to look my way.