Chapter 3After She Left, They Took My Home

The villa was lit up like a dream. Through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, I could see Jacey in a sparkling princess gown, standing in the center of the crowd, eyes closed, making a wish. Julia stood beside her, beaming with that loving mother look. And Dad, Dad had actually come back. He was standing next to Julia, smiling down at Jacey.

The wind cut across my face like a blade. Cold and starving, I curled up under a holly tree and tried calling Dad again. This time, it went through.

"Emma?" He sounded surprised.

"Dad, I'm cold." My voice was shaking so hard I could barely get the words out.

"Cold? Didn't Julia get you warm clothes ages ago? It's your sister's birthday and you're not even home. What, you're throwing another tantrum?"

I froze. "Dad, I don't have a coat. I'm right outside the gate and nobody will let me in."

Before I could finish, Julia's voice came through the line. "Peter, is that Emma?"

"She insisted on staying at a friend's house. Wouldn't even come to her own sister's birthday party. And I saved her the biggest piece of cake, too."

Dad sighed. "Emma, what were you saying? You're being so unreasonable. Julia treats you so well. Why are you always so difficult? Just stay at your friend's place and don't cause them any trouble."

The line went dead. The dial tone cut through the snowstorm like a knife.

I clutched my phone, my heart as frozen as my body. Did Dad even know his own daughter was freezing to death outside his door?

The snow fell harder. My vision started to blur. Just when I thought I was about to slip under, the villa door flew open. Someone grabbed me by the hair and dragged me up out of the snow.

It was Julia. She hauled me inside, threw me onto the couch, then walked to the kitchen and came back with a glass of warm milk. She held it out to me. "Drink."

I stared at her, wary. Why the sudden kindness?

Julia slammed the glass down on the coffee table. "Emma. Drink it yourself."

Just then, Jacey came stumbling down the stairs in her princess dress, shaking all over. Her skirt was covered in huge patches of blood.

Julia rushed over and pulled Jacey into her arms. "Don't be scared, baby. Mommy's here."

Jacey was sobbing so hard she could barely breathe. "Mom, I didn't mean to. I just wanted to take the toy car for a spin, I didn't know he'd walk out in front of me."

I stared at them. "What happened?"

Julia turned to me. "Jacey had a little champagne, took your father's modified mini golf cart for a drive, and accidentally hit the gardener in the back. He's already been taken to the hospital. The doctor said both his legs are shattered. He'll be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life."

"What does that have to do with me?" I pushed myself up off the couch.

Julia walked over to me, smiling. "Everything. Jacey is only fourteen. Her life has barely begun. She can't have this kind of stain on her record."

"You're the older sister. And you weren't at the party tonight. All you have to do is admit that you were jealous of your sister and drove into him. You hadn't been drinking. It won't be a big deal for you."

"Are you insane? You want me to take the fall for her?"

"Take the fall? We're family. You're her big sister. Isn't it only natural to cover for your little sister's mistake?"

Jacey peeked out from behind Julia. "Sis, just help me out, okay? Your grades suck anyway. You're never gonna be anything. A few years inside won't make a difference."

I was done. "Dream on! Where's Dad? Does he know about this? I'm telling him."

Julia let out a cold laugh. "I've already talked it over with your father. He didn't object. All you have to do is nod, and this is handled. Emma, you don't get to say no."

Dad knew? He'd agreed to this? That's why he hadn't come looking for me? There was no way. I had to find him, had to hear it from his own mouth. I spun around and bolted for the door.

I made it two steps before something cracked against the back of my skull. Everything went black.