Chapter 3

3.

My mother-in-law thought I was at the hospital. She brought Tilly over the second she thought the coast was clear.

When I walked through the front door, I saw Tilly jumping on Hope and Leo's beds. Snot was running down her face, and she was wiping it directly onto their pillows.

I didn't say a word. I just grabbed her by the collar and hauled her off the bed. The girl started howling like a wounded animal.

My mother-in-law came charging out of the kitchen, spatula in hand. "What the hell are you doing? Put her down!"

I noticed a half-eaten bowl of cereal on the table. My eyes locked onto the old woman's. "Get her out of here. Right now. Or both of you can pack your bags and get out."

She saw the coldness in my eyes and hesitated. But then her ego took over.

"You can't kick us out! This is my son's house! Tilly is his niece. She stays as long as we want!"

I leaned in, my voice a deadly whisper. "I bought this house with my own money. His name isn't even on the deed. Get her out, or I'm calling the police."

She threw herself onto the floor, wailing. "Oh, look at how she treats an old lady! You're trying to kill me!"

"Go ahead, call the cops!" she screamed between fake sobs. "I'll tell them you're abusing us! Let's see who they believe!"

Tilly stopped crying and poked her grandmother. "Grandma, you said if I cried, Auntie Zoey would give in."

"I've been crying forever. Why isn't she being nice yet?"

The old woman hissed at her to shut up. "I told you not to say that in front of her!"

She stopped, realizing she had said too much.

"Keep talking," I challenged. "If you don't explain exactly what's going on, we're going to have a real problem today."

She scrambled to her feet, dusting off her skirt. "Explain what? I'm the elder here. I don't owe you an explanation for anything."

"I don't care who bought the house. It's my son's home. If you don't like it, you're the one who can leave!"

I almost laughed. This was perfect.

If they wanted to stay so bad, they could stay. As long as my kids were gone, I had all the time in the world to play their twisted games.

I had taken the day off to move the twins. I went into my bedroom and shut the door, but the old woman followed me.

"Why aren't you at work?" she demanded.

"None of your business," I snapped.

She rolled her eyes. "Acting like a big shot. Your little paycheck doesn't mean anything. This family survives because of my son."

"I just want to know where my grandson and granddaughter are."

I ignored her.

"Zoey Sterling! Are you deaf? Where did you hide those kids?"

"They're at daycare," I lied. "Where else would they be?"

She waved her hand dismissively. "Go get them. Bring them home to play with Tilly. A child gets lonely being the only one in the house."

"Is Tilly a princess now? Does she need handmaidens? She can play by herself."

The old woman turned red. "I am your mother-in-law! You do what I say!"

"Fine. If you won't get them, I'll go get them myself."

She grabbed Tilly and headed for the door, intent on going to the daycare. I watched them leave with a dark smile.

Go ahead, lady. You're not going to find a soul there.