Chapter 3

3

Early the next morning, the mansion was filled with frantic shouting.

Daisy was standing in the hallway, sobbing uncontrollably. Her face was covered in a nasty red rash.

The lilies I had carefully arranged were scattered all over the floor.

"I knew someone didn't want Daisy here! Maybe I should have just left her in the countryside to rot!"

Eleanor cried, leaning her head on my father's shoulder.

She shot a sharp, accusatory look at me, her eyes screaming that she knew it was me.

"Mom, stop. I'm sure Nina didn't mean it."

Daisy played the saint as usual, pretending to defend me while effectively pinning the blame on my chest.

I stayed silent, staring at the floor. When I finally looked up, my eyes were swimming in tears.

"Dad? Does Daisy not like the flowers?"

My father looked taken aslant by my sudden emotional display. He sighed, his voice softening.

"Daisy is allergic to lilies, Nina. You shouldn't have put them in her room."

I gasped, looking at Daisy as if I were seeing her rash for the first time.

"Oh my god! Daisy! Your face… I had no idea!"

I let a kaleidoscope of shock and grief wash over my face.

"I'm so sorry, Dad. I didn't know. Those were the lilies from the garden Mom planted before she passed… I just wanted to share something of hers with my new sister."

My voice trailed off into a whisper as I lowered my head. If she wanted to play the victim, I could play it better.