Chapter 2
Caleb took the phone from my hand.
His face went white as he replayed the clip.
Once.
Twice.
A third time.
Marlene’s voice filled the kitchen.
“Take enough to make her look guilty when she notices.”
Nobody moved.
Tyler stared at the floor.
Marlene recovered first.
“That is out of context.”
I laughed.
It hurt my burned skin, but I laughed anyway.
“Out of context? He had his hand in my wallet.”
Tyler snapped, “You always act like you’re better than us.”
Caleb stepped toward him.
“No. She acts like someone tired of being stolen from.”
Marlene stood.
“Caleb, lower your voice.”
He turned to her.
“For once, no.”
That one word changed the kitchen.
Marlene blinked like he had slapped her.
His father, George, came in from the garage holding a rag.
“What happened?”
Caleb held up the phone.
“Your son stole from Jenna. Mom watched.”
George’s eyes moved to me.
To my blouse.
To my arms.
“Why is she covered in soup?”
I answered before Tyler could lie.
“Because Tyler threw it at me when I said no.”
George looked at his son.
“Tyler.”
Tyler threw his hands up.
“Oh, come on. It was soup.”
“It was hot,” Caleb said.
Marlene snapped, “She hit him.”
“She defended herself,” Caleb said.
My throat tightened.
For years, Caleb had tried to keep peace with his family.
Peace meant letting Marlene insult me.
Peace meant letting Tyler borrow money.
Peace meant me swallowing disrespect because “that’s just how they are.”
But now Caleb’s voice was different.
Harder.
Clearer.
He looked at me.
“Hospital.”
“I’m okay.”
“No,” he said softly. “You’re hurt.”
Marlene scoffed.
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
Caleb turned to her.
“You watched Tyler steal from my wife.”
“She never treats him like family.”
“She is my family.”
The room went silent.
Marlene’s mouth opened.
Closed.
Tyler muttered, “Whipped.”
Caleb moved so fast Tyler stepped back.
“Say one more word.”
George stepped between them.
“Enough.”
But his voice shook.
Not with anger.
With shame.
Caleb wrapped a clean towel around my arms.
“Come on.”
As he guided me toward the door, Marlene called after us.
“If you leave now, don’t come crawling back.”
Caleb stopped.
He looked over his shoulder.
May you like
“We won’t.”
For the first time, Marlene looked afraid.
