Chapter 6: The Last Straw

Dorm life was lonely but better than home. But winter break came, and with nowhere else to go, I returned.

When I opened the door, a baby’s wail echoed down the hall. I found Natalie in bed, barking orders: “Mark, hurry! Cody’s crying!”

Dad fumbled with formula, his face flushed. When he saw me—hair wet with melted snow—panic flashed in his eyes. “Allison, why are you back? I was just about to pick you up.”

He tried to explain about the baby—my new brother—but I didn’t care. I stared at the ceiling, counting the cracks.

A month later, I came home to chaos. Natalie was clutching the baby, Lillian hiding behind her, Dad’s face red with anger. On the floor: empty packs of cold medicine.

“Cody’s your brother! How could you put cold medicine in his formula?” Dad shouted.

I felt nothing. “I didn’t do it. If I had, there wouldn’t be evidence. Lillian lives here too—why not her?”

Dad looked at Lillian. She burst into tears, ran to her room, brought out a bracelet she’d bought for Cody. “Dad, I didn’t do it. I always wanted a brother.”

Natalie clung to the baby, sobbing. “Allison, whatever grudge you have, take it out on me. Don’t hurt Cody.”

Dad slapped me, his voice trembling. “Apologize to Natalie!”

I stared him down. The sting in my cheek meant nothing.

Natalie’s cries grew louder. The baby screamed. Dad pointed at the door. “If you don’t apologize, get out!”

I stood tall, my jaw set. “Fine.”

He blinked. “What did you say?”

I picked up my bag, and this time, I didn’t look back. Not once.