Chapter 25
While Allison was showering, she heard the unmistakable crash of something shattering in her bedroom. She quickly rinsed off, threw on her pajamas, and dashed out to see what had happened.
The room was empty, but the floor was covered with the shattered pieces of something dear to her. Allison immediately recognized them as the porcelain puppy her mother had given her. It was a keepsake from her twelfth birthday, a light blue puppy they’d painted together at a DIY shop. Their names were etched on the back.
Seeing the fragments sent a rush of anger through her, heating her from the inside out. “Who did this?” she shouted, storming out of her room.
She pounded on the door of the room across the hall where Shawn was sleeping. “Shawn! Kate! Did one of you come into my room?”
Shawn opened his door, looking both annoyed and sleepy. “What the hell, Allison? Can’t a guy get some sleep?”
Allison’s chest rose and fell with fury, and her eyes blazed. “Shawn, did you come into my room just now?”
“Why would I do that?” Shawn frowned. “Stop being ridiculous. I’ve been here, going through contracts. I haven’t gone anywhere else.”
“If it’s not you, then it must be Kate.” Without another word, Allison turned and headed straight
for Kate’s room.
Kate’s room was at the end of the hallway. Shawn followed Allison, worried about what might
unfold.
“Kate! Open the door!” Allison kicked the door with such force it left Shawn momentarily stunned. Was this really the gentle Allison he knew? What had gotten her so riled up?
Kate opened the door slowly, her expression a mix of annoyance and confusion. “Allison, what’s your problem?”
Allison grabbed Kate’s wrist, dragging her toward her bedroom. Kate stumbled, trying to pull away. “Let go of me! Allison, let go!”
Once inside the room, Allison released Kate with a shove. “Ow!” Kate stumbled, her knee hitting the dresser. “Are you crazy, Allison?” she yelled, clutching her knee.
“Did you break my porcelain puppy?” Allison advanced, her presence intimidating. “What were you doing in my room?”
Kate’s eyes darted around, guilt written all over her face. “I… I didn’t! I was in my room the whole time. You can’t blame me!”
10
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Chapter 23
Allison met Kate’s gaze with icy resolve. “Really? Because I saw the hem of your beige dress from the bathroom door.”
“That’s a lie! I was wearing a gray dress when I went in-” Kate started to retort but realized her mistake too late. Her face flushed with anger and embarrassment. “Allison, you tricked me! You didn’t see anything!”
“Is that dress something you just changed into?” Allison asked coldly, her eyes narrowing. Her voice was as frosty as a winter morning. “Why were you in my room?”
Caught by Allison’s steely gaze, Kate shivered. “I… I was just… looking around.”
“And what exactly were you looking for?”
Kate swallowed nervously, terrified that Allison might uncover her secret. “I… I was just-”
“Enough!” Shawn stepped forward to shield Kate. “Allison, stop making a big deal out of this. It’s just a toy. You can buy another one. Don’t take it out on Kate!”
The sharp crack of a slap echoed through the room, cutting him off mid–sentence.
