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Mommy died three days later.

The following week, Father sent Alex to a sleepover school because he didn’t want to see his face anymore. It reminded him too much of our mom.

In a matter of days, my brother and I lost each other and our mother.

THREE WEEKS UNTIL RYAN’S BIRTHDAY

I had spent the last few days since I saw Carina replaying our relationship in my mind. Part of me knows I’m at fault, but a bigger, more stubborn part can’t get past the fact that she was at Alex’s. That’s not a coincidence.

While he has never done anything to hurt me before, there’s a first time for everything.

My phone rings, and I quickly grab it, hoping it’s Carina. Instead I notice my brother’s name flash across the screen. I consider putting the call through to voicemail, but I need to know the truth.

“Hello?” I answer.

“Been a long time,” he says.

“Surprised you still have the same number.”

“So do you. Shame we didn’t keep in touch,” he says. “But I know we couldn’t. You especially.”

My heart warms hearing him say that, even though it angers me at the same time. But that’s not his fault.

“We’ve spent too many years separated because of that man,” I say.

“It’s up to us to change that, and I’d like to start that now. I know we’re not supposed to meet or anything, but I just don’t care anymore. What do you say to dinner at John’s?”

“Just like old times,” I say, momentarily lost in my memories. “I’m looking forward to it.”

“Me too,” Alex says. “But you’re not going to be happy with what I have to say.”

CHAPTER 27

Carina

THREE WEEKS UNTIL RYAN’S BIRTHDAY

The sun is high in the sky, birds are singing, and trees are filling in with dark green leaves, but for once, I don’t care. My heart is still hurting. Still, it’s such a beautiful day that I decide to walk home from the hospital instead of taking the subway.

As I reach my street, I notice a woman sitting on the porch stoop. I sigh, recognizing my mother, and brace myself.

What does she want?

It’s been almost a week since I left Alex’s with Ryan. She hasn’t reached out to me, and I haven’t reached out to her either.

There was something unhinged in her look that day at Alex’s. Something I didn’t recognize and didn’t want to get to know.

“Visiting the old lady again?” Mom asks as I approach.

I stop at the bottom of the steps, not wanting to let her in. I was still uncomfortable with how she had walked through the apartment as if it was hers last time.

“Yes, I was visiting Grandma. I’m surprised you haven’t.”

“Meh, that old woman will live forever. Plus, she’s only there for testing. Not like she’s going to die.”

I want to call her out for being rude, but she’s my mother, so I say nothing. I ball up my fists and cross my arms over my chest, hiding my fists against my body.

“How’s Ryan?” she asks with a smirk.

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