Chapter 11

Lily's expression changed."I don't know what you're talking about..." She edged behind my mother. "I've never been here."Mrs. Grace smiled. "Then how did you find this place?"She turned and pulled up a segment of security footage.The timestamp was three months ago.By then my wolf was nearly gone. I had almost nothing left: no taste, no smell. I couldn't eat. My limbs had gone stiff, and I barely had the strength to lift my arms.I was lying in bed. Lily stood over me, looking down."Look at yourself, Laila. You're like a squashed bug.""It's embarrassing that Mom has a daughter like you. Good thing she's got me. No wonder when I told her you were sick, she said you weren't going to die and she didn't need to bother with you.""Even if you die and become a specimen, Mom'll be disgusted when she sees you."A wave of nausea rose in my throat.Mom knew? And she didn't care?Grandma's whole body was shaking. My mother stood perfectly still, eyes wide.Before that, I'd run into Lily at

Chapter 12

Mrs. Grace said nothing.She held out my medical file."Laila's wolf decay didn't have to be that painful. But the doctors said her lungs were severely damaged in the fire, so every time her senses started failing, the pain was worse than what most patients experience.""You study this condition, don't you? You know better than I do what she went through."Mrs. Grace had been with me at that appointment. I'd told her what happened. She'd held me and cried.My mother's eyes moved over the pages. Her hands had started to shake."Mom, don't listen to her." Lily grabbed her arm in a panic.Mrs. Grace looked at her flatly. "You were what, ten at the time? How exactly did you carry anyone out of a fire?"My mother squared herself and made a call.The corridor security footage had been there all along: Lily running out alone, me coming through the door with my mother on my back.The evidence was always there. She'd just never thought to look."Lily." Her voice was very quiet. "What actually h

Chapter 13

My mother stayed. She said she wanted to sort through my things.There wasn't much to sort.Just the old laptop she'd been ready to throw away (Grandma had brought it to me), a few worn-through clothes, some dog-eared textbooks, and a journal.My mother opened a book. Every page was covered in my notes.On the first page, I'd written: I want to become a doctor as good as my mother.She turned the pages with trembling hands.After the visit when I was nine, I'd written:[Why was I born so early? If Mom had gone abroad first and had me later, maybe she wouldn't hate me so much.][It's a shame the sun stones scattered. Most of them are gone now.]Later, when the bullying at school got bad:[Do you get picked on if you don't have parents around? But I have parents. My mother is an incredible doctor.][Mom didn't come to parent-teacher night. The teacher said she called and Mom just said "I'm busy." I think Mom was right not to come. I'm not someone worth showing up for. But lately I keep t

Chapter 14

My mother moved into the small apartment.She told Grandma she could feel me there.She couldn't, not really.By the late stages, my wolf was gone. I hadn't had a scent in a long time.She watched the security footage over and over. Thirty days of it. I lost count of how many times Lily had come.At first it was just words, cruel ones, meant to hurt. Once she figured out I was too numb to fight back, she started using her hands. Pinching me. I couldn't make my body get out of the way.Mrs. Grace cried when she found out. I didn't have the strength to reach up and wipe her eyes.Every time Lily appeared on screen, my mother's nails dug into her palms, leaving crescent-shaped marks.[That's enough, Mom. Don't watch anymore.]The last time Lily came, she brought someone with her.An old man. Thin. Stooped.My soul flinched. The fear from that day wrapped around me again, cold and tight.Lily counted the bills in her hand with a smirk."A hundred dollars. One hour. Whatever you want."She

Chapter 15

My mother turned off the video.She looked at her own hands and let out a short, broken laugh, then hit herself across the face."How did I raise something that cruel.""And what did I do to Laila—"She stopped.Something changed in her expression. A decision was being made."Laila. Everything I owe you, I'll give it back."She went to the bathroom and washed her face, then walked to the kitchen and put a knife in her bag.I went cold with dread.[Mom. What are you doing?]She came home past midnight. The living room lights were still on."Mom! You're finally home!"Lily rushed toward her like always.My mother stepped aside.Lily's voice went careful."I know I was wrong. I'll get on my knees for Laila and apologize. Can you forgive me, Mom?""Sure," my mother said. "You should apologize."The next second, she grabbed Lily and tied her to the chair.She drew the knife."Lily. I'll only ask you once. Who was the man you brought here?"Lily's eyes went wide."What man? I—I don't know wh

Chapter 16

I had a dream.It took me back to the year Laila turned nine.She was standing in the doorway. Her hair had been blown loose. There was a smudge of something on her cheek, dust or dirt, I couldn't tell.She looked up at me with that careful little smile of hers, one of her front teeth still coming in.Her voice was very quiet. "I made you a birthday present."I stopped.Was that my birthday? I'd been so busy I'd forgotten.A necklace of sun stones lay still in her palm. The largest one in the center had a wolf carved into it, done with a sharp rock, rough and small and perfect.In the dream, I didn't do what I did that day.I crouched down, reached out, and held it gently."It's beautiful. Will you put it on me?"The wind went still. The world held its breath.She shook her head."I can't."Before I could ask why, she said, "I'm late! Mom's waiting for me at home. I have to go."Something twisted in my chest."I'm your mom.""My mom's a caregiver. Everyone loves her."I hadn't processe