Chapter 12%
I should have known Ava was up to something.
The night she packed her things, she moved through the house like a stranger who’d already stolen what she came for.
There was no argument, no breakdown, just silence and a crooked smile that didn’t reach her eyes. But something in her hands had bothered me.}
A paper, folded too neatly, stuffed in the side of her purse when she thought I wasn’t looking.
Back then, I didn’t press it. God knows I was too worn out to care.
But now, I care. I care a hell of a lot.
Callie sat across from me at Aunt May’s kitchen table, her fingers curled around a chipped mug, her expression unreadable./
“There was a letter,” I said. “From Isabelle. Meant for you.”}]
Her eyes didn’t move, but her breath hitched slightly.
“I never saw it,” I continued. “But I remember Ava, she was always snooping, always pretending to help clean out old drawers when she was really looking for something. One time, I found her going through Isabelle’s writing desk.“}
“You let her?” Her voice was flat. A wall going up.”
“I didn’t know what she was doing.” I ran a hand over my face. “She said she was looking for a charger. I was too tired to think otherwise.“>
Callie sat still, the weight of my confession settling heavily between us.}
“I’m sorry,” I added. “For everything I didn’t protect. For everything I let happen under my roof.”}
She didn’t answer. Just stared down into her coffee like it held some answer I couldn’t give her.
That’s when Sophie came into the room, phone in hand, face pale.}
“You need to see this,” she said, voice tight.”
She turned the screen toward us. An Instagram story from Ava’s account, just posted minutes ago. A short video clip: her manicured fingers holding an old cream–colored envelope, the name “Callie” written in Isabelle’s handwriting.”
The caption read: “Secrets taste sweet.”
My stomach dropped.
“That’s it,” Callie whispered. “That’s her handwriting. That’s the letter.“}
Aunt May took the phone from Sophie and muttered something sharp under her breath. Probably a curse, Or a prayer. Or both.>
I stood up too fast, heart pounding. “She has it. She’s had it this whole time.”
Callie’s eyes snapped to mine. “And you let her stay in Isabelle’s house?”
“I didn’t know!“}
“You didn’t want to know,” she snapped. “You let her crawl through Isabelle’s things like they were junk. And now she has something İsabelle meant for me. For us.“}
Callie didn’t move. But I saw something shift in her eyes, something between rage and heartbreak. A quiet war.
“She never read it,” I said quickly. “She wouldn’t post it like that if she had. That letter, it still belongs to you.”}
Callie inhaled sharply, and for a moment, I thought she might faint. But she didn’t. Her spine straightened instead.
“The moment she’ll open it,” she said, voice low. “It’s over.“}
Aunt May moved behind us, her voice tight with emotion. “She thinks she can hold that letter like it’s a weapon. Let her try.“}
Callie turned to me, eyes glassy but sharp. “We’re going tonight. Wherever she is.“>
“She lives downtown now,” Sophie said, still staring at her phone. “I know the building. She posted a story in the mirror last week. You can see the street sign.“}
I blinked. “You stalk her Instagram?“}
“I’m ten, not brainless.”
Callie snorted. The sound surprised all of us.”
And then it faded.
Callie looked at me, then at Sophie. Then at the road ahead.
“We’re taking back what’s ours,” she said.”
“She stole from Isabelle.” Callie’s voice trembled, but it wasn’t fear. “She stole from me.”
I reached for her hand, but she pulled it back.
“I’m not asking for forgiveness,” I said. “I just want to make it right.”
Her eyes flicked to Sophie, then back to me. “If you want to make it right, get that letter back.“}
“I will.”
“No,” she said firmly. “We will.”
There was a new fire in her voice now. Not weakness. Not mourning. But purpose.!]
Sophie stenned hetween us defiant as ever “You’re not going alone”
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There was a new fire in her voice now. Not weakness. Not mourning. But purpose.
Sophie stepped between us, defiant as ever. “You’re not going alone.“%
“I can’t have you-”
“I’m not a baby,” she snapped. “She hurt all of us. She made me think Callie didn’t care. She made you ignore me. She took things that didn’t belong to her.”
She was shaking, but her chin didn’t waver.M
Callie looked at her for a long moment. Then slowly, she sat to level down Sophie. “Stay here. I promise, I will come back with the letter“%
I stepped outside to grab my coat, the winter air already biting. But as soon as we’re about to reach the car, Sophie’s phone buzzed again.%
Another post from Ava.
This time, it was a photo.
The letter, now open, its first line visible.
“Callie,
If you’re holding this, I’m gone, and I hate that more than I know how to say.”
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