Page 21 of The Broken Note

“To bed.”

“We only have two bedrooms.”

“Mom can room with me,” Viola says.

“Absolutely not.”

“She’s right,” mom agrees. “I’ll take Cadence’s room. You and Viola can bunk together like you did before I left.”

My mouth pinches tightly. “You’re not—”

“Please.” Viola touches my arm and gives me a pleading look. “Mom’s supposed to be dead. She can’t just get a motel room. And it’s not like we haven’t slept on the same bed before.”

Everything inside me wants to argue, but I can tell that this means a lot to Vi.

“Fine,” I give in.

Mom smiles.

“Just for one night.”

“Of course.” Her eyes glitter.

The alarm bells in my head won’t stop ringing. Letting mom back into our lives is thelastthing I should do.

But what other choice do I have? Turn her back onto the streets so she gets into more trouble? What happens if the police find out I helped disguise her death? What if they start investigating further and realize that we live alone? Or worse… live with an active drug addict who faked her own death? Will they take Viola away from me?

I can’t risk that happening.

Besides, I don’t believe mom gave us the full story tonight. Something isn’t adding up and the only way to make sure her stupid decisions won’t come back to bite me and Vi is to ask more questions.

I glare mom’s way. “Refrain from stealing anything in my room while I’m sleeping.”

Mom laughs. “Goodnight, Cadey.”

I follow Vi down the hall and tug her into the bathroom, insisting that she brush her teeth. She’s half-sleeping when I put her to bed and pull the comforters over her.

“I really hate you for keeping it a secret, Cadey,” Vi mumbles, half-conscious.

My heart pricks. “I know.”

“You always do things alone,” she murmurs, her eyes sinking further shut. “You always take the pain by yourself.”

“I’m okay.” I run my fingers over her hair.

“I want to help you,” Vi mumbles.

Damn it, Cadey. I want to help you.Dutch’s voice rings through my memories.

Did he mean it? Is that even possible? He spent every day making my life a living hell. Now, suddenly, he wants to help me?

I chew on my bottom lip until another thought strikes.

Dutch.

Ring box.

Super expensive diamond cut engagement ring.

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