Hughe

ase-a symphony of the happy family I was never a part of. Jacob' s excited s

ipping with maternal affection. "Oh, my sweet boy, let

eticulously studied French patisserie, perfecting every dessert from macarons to soufflés, trying to

at simple agreement felt like a fresh wound. "Almeda t

every ingredient, sterilizing my kitchen to prevent any contamination. I had stayed up all night with him when he had a fever, holding a cool cloth to his forehead

bought a store-made cake, simply because she looked like the wi

th me into this house six years ago. The rest-the designer clothes, the jewelry Hector bough

they moved towards the dining room. "Hector, you

ck and peered down. Helene stood beside Hector, who was now seated at the head o

bia that he' d never even shared a glass of water with me, leaned for

r spoon. He always insisted on separate utensils, separate plates, a sterile distance between us. I had once brushed a

re. His grief. His quirks. I had made

ture from her without a second thought, I saw the tr

in was so intense it felt like my heart was being physically carved ou

hing left to salvage, noth

as

ne's voice called up the stairs, a mocking

swer. I did

ve. "She's probably sulking. She needs to learn t

bad, grumpy lady. If you don't come down, H

ly boiled over. It wasn't loud or explosive. It was

my movements calm and deliber

h, Almeda, don't be shy. Come and try a p

Hector muttered, just loud enough f

ed gasp. "Oh! My bracelet! It must have fallen into the cake batter. It's a limit

t down here now and apologize to Helene. And th

. An apology? For what? For existing

, I walked to my dressing table, picked up the jewelry box Hecto

d's hesitation, I opened the box and turned it upside down. Diamonds, pearls, and sa

ed from the house. "ALMEDA!

suitcase, and walked out of the room, leavin