Chapter 5: The Last Straw

For days, Derek didn’t come by. Even the stuff I sent was returned, untouched.

The mail truck rattled past, dropping off boxes for everyone but me. I watched the neighbor’s American flag flutter above their mailbox, feeling my world shrink around me.

I asked Mrs. Gutierrez, my maid, “Did he even look at them?”

She shook her head, apologetic. "No, Miss. They saw it was from you and sent it right back. Maybe it’s best not to send things anymore… the gatekeeper said you’re just making Derek madder."

I told her to put the box away. My voice was thin, but I tried to hide my disappointment. The box was full of things Derek had given me—just trying to return what wasn’t mine anymore.

I traced the faded Sharpie doodles on the lid. Inside: ticket stubs, a friendship bracelet, a crumpled photo from junior year. Ghosts of a life I barely recognized.

Needing a distraction, I texted Maddy and Serena—shopping trip, ASAP. We wandered Main Street until sunset, the air filled with popcorn from the old movie house and music from O’Malley’s Bar. For a little while, I almost felt normal.

When I got home, shopping bags in hand, I heard laughter from the living room. My sneakers squeaked on the hardwood. I froze in the doorway.

Aubrey, in a green sundress, sat next to my mother, sipping sweet tea from Mom’s favorite mason jar, daisies braided into her hair. She looked right at home.

When she saw me, she beamed, helping my mom up. "Sis Natalie, you’re home! We were just talking about you."

She acted like she belonged, like she’d always been part of my family.

Her gold locket flashed in the light—a locket I’d once given to Derek. A tightness gripped my chest. I stepped forward, unclasped it from her neck, and dropped it hard on the coffee table.

"Who said you could come here?"

Aubrey shrieked, ducking behind my mom. "Sis, what are you doing? Mom, help!"

Hearing her call my mother ‘Mom’ sent ice through my veins. "What did you just call her?"

Mom looked confused, protective of Aubrey. "Natalie, what’s gotten into you? Didn’t you want Aubrey to be like a sister? You said it’d help her marry Noah."

My stomach twisted. I tried to remember if I’d ever said that. The answer was obvious, but it still stung.

I hadn’t told my family about the marriage license, since the mayor’s wife wasn’t back yet.

My voice rose, sharp. "Who? When did I ever say that?"

Mom took me aside, worry in her eyes. "It was Derek. He brought Aubrey himself and said you wanted us to take care of her. She was wearing your locket—how could I not believe him?"

The words hit like stones. The years of expectation, hope, and Derek all twisted together.

A raging fire burned in my chest. I tried to keep my voice steady, but it shook.

It was Derek.

That locket was what he’d asked for when he came back from college, saying it reminded him of me. He’d been paving the way for Aubrey all along, using me and my family to make her belong.

Aubrey had nothing—no status, no family. Derek tried to give her everything, even if it meant throwing me away.

I took a deep breath and explained the truth to Mom. She listened, eyes growing sadder by the second.

She squeezed my hand, voice trembling. "I’m sorry, sweetheart. I thought I was doing what was best for you. I should’ve asked."

My heart ached. I’d always wanted Derek, and now my parents were caught up in his schemes, too.

"But now that she’s here, if we want to send her away, we’ll need a reason…"

I narrowed my eyes, letting a slow, dangerous smile form. If Aubrey wanted to play family, she’d have to play by my rules now.

"Mom, don’t worry. Who says we have to drive her out? I have a plan…"

For the first time in days, I felt a flicker of hope. I smiled at Mom, slow and dangerous. If Aubrey wanted to play family, she’d have to play by my rules now.