Are you upset because I stayed over at Stanley’s house?
Charlotte’s POV
I had never felt so small in my own home. The silence pressed against my chest as I opened my eyes. No sound of footsteps. No voice calling out. The house felt completely empty.
For a second, I stayed still, hoping I was wrong. Hoping I would hear someone moving around. Maybe Luther was just in the bathroom. Maybe he had fallen asleep on the couch.
But after checking every single room, even the guest room, I knew he was gone. No note. No message. Nothing. I tried to keep myself busy, pushing away the heavy feeling growing in my chest. I made breakfast, though I barely touched it. Maybe he left early because he had somewhere important to be. Maybe he did not want to wake me up.
It was easier to come up with excuses than to admit how hurt I felt. By noon, I was dressed and ready for my university class. Loveth and Kate would pick me up soon. I kept checking my phone, counting down the minutes. I could not wait to leave this house. Just when I thought I could escape without facing anything else, the front door opened.
I turned and saw my mother walk in, Stanley close behind her. They were laughing like two kids sneaking around, not two adults who should have known better. The sound of their happiness made something burn inside me. It felt like betrayal, sharp and deep.
"Good morning, honey. Did you sleep well?" my mother asked, her smile wide, her voice sweet like she had no idea what she had done.
I forced a tight nod, my lips pressed together.
"Morning, Charlotte," Stanley added, pulling off her coat, the same coat she wore last night when she left without a second thought. I said nothing. My throat felt too tight to speak. I turned away and headed to my room.
"Charlotte, is something wrong?" My mother called after me, but I ignored her.
I grabbed my phone and shoved my books into my bag, my hands moving fast. I wanted to be gone before the fake smiles made me lose control.
She followed me, leaning against my door frame.
"Are you upset because I stayed over at Stanley’s?" she asked, folding her arms across her chest.
I pushed past her, but she stepped in front of me, blocking the way.
"Answer me when I am speaking to you," she said sharply. I could hear the warning in her voice. I stopped, my fingers curling around the strap of my bag. The anger and sadness I had been holding back all morning spilled out.
"You know what I see at night, do you not?" I said, my voice shaking. "You know I still see Dad. His blood. His last breath. It plays over and over again in my head. Especially when I am alone."
Her face softened. She reached out her hand like she wanted to comfort me, but I stepped back before she could touch me.
"And who is the one who stays with me when the nightmares get too bad?" I asked, my voice rising. "You promised, Mum. You promised you would be there."
"You are doing better now," she said gently. "The therapy is helping you, Charlotte."
She still did not understand. She had no idea.
"And yet you still chose to leave last night," I said, my heart pounding. "You chose him over me. You laughed and smiled while I sat here, terrified, waiting for the nightmares to come."
She stepped closer again, but I moved back.
"Please," I said, raising my hand to stop her. "Do not."
Her mouth opened, ready to defend herself, but I shook my head.
"I do not want to hear it," I cried, my voice cracking. I pressed my hands over my ears, trying to block her out, trying to block out the pain.
"Do not you dare raise your voice at me!" she snapped suddenly. "You are acting like a spoilt child! I have a right to my own life too, Charlotte. I cannot always be there at your every cry for help. If you cannot accept that, it is your problem, not mine."
Her words hit harder than any slap. I stood frozen, tears welling in my eyes, my whole world tilting. Every word she threw at me made one thing clearer, I would never be first in her life again. And deep down, I knew, the only person I could count on from now on was myself. If only Dad were still alive. Maybe then, I would not feel so lost.
A heavy silence filled my bedroom. I opened and closed my mouth a few times, but no words came out. Through blurry eyes, I looked at her. Wide-eyed. Hurt. She didn’t care if I slept well.
She didn’t care if I had nightmares. All she cared about was me accepting her decision, and supporting her marriage.
"If Dad were here instead of you," I whispered, my voice barely there, "he would never have left me alone all night, knowing I couldn't sleep."
My lips trembled. I felt it, the deep, ugly feeling of being rejected by my own mother.
"I wish Dad was still alive," I whispered, squeezing past her out the door.
"Charlotte, I…"
"I wish it was you who got shot that night," I cut her off.
"It should’ve been you."
Without another word, I left. A tear slipped down my cheek, but I wiped it away quickly. I didn’t even look at Stanley as I stormed out of the house. Outside, Loveth’s black Subaru Outback was already waiting in the driveway. I wiped my face furiously. My friends didn’t need to see my heartbreak.
"Hey, bitch, long time no see!" Kate yelled from the backseat window, grinning.
"We saw each other two days ago," I muttered, unable to match her energy.
"Hey, beautiful, what’s wrong?" Loveth asked once I climbed in.
"Nothing. Just... had a fight with my mom," I said, trying to sound casual.
But they knew me too well. They weren’t buying it.
"Cut the crap, babes. What happened?" Kate scooted closer.
"My mom’s getting married," I said bluntly.
Kate’s smile faded.
"But... it hasn’t even been that long since Papa..." she trailed off.
Both she and Loveth used to call my dad "Papa." He was like a father to them too.
"I’m sorry, Charlotte," Loveth said softly. "But you knew it would happen someday, right?"
He always told the truth, even when it hurt. It was one of the reasons I loved our friendship so much.
"Yeah," I sniffled, closing my eyes as more tears slipped free.
"But not this soon. Not while the case is still open. Not while the investigation is still going."
"We only have one class today," Kate said, pulling me into a hug. "Let’s skip it and go cheer you up."
"Looks like we’re going skinny dipping at the lake," Loveth grinned, spinning the car around.
I couldn’t help but smile, and when I did, Loveth fist-pumped the air.
"We made her smile, Kate!" he cheered, blasting the radio.
"Damn right we did!" Kate shouted back, laughing.
But even as they celebrated, my mind drifted. Luther’ words from earlier echoed in my head.
Was I being selfish for not wanting my mom to move on? And deeper than that... A warmer, more dangerous thought crept in. The memory of Luther’ hand on my shoulder. The way my body responded, heating instantly. If only my friends knew... I was secretly attracted to an older man, the man who was about to become my step-uncle.
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