Mom shakes her head. “That can’t be right.”

“Of course she had it,” Dad says. “I knew she had it all along.”

His comment stokes my anger. “You were right, Dad. You were right and I was wrong. Does that make you feel better?”

“Calm down, son. I know you’re upset but—”

“You don’t know anything!” I storm out of his office and crash into Josh in the hallway.

“I knew that little bitch had Nana’s ring,” he says, a smug look on his face.

I press my forearm against Josh’s neck and slam him against the wall. “Call her a bitch again,” I say through gritted teeth.

“Jaxon!” Mom pulls on my shoulder. “Jaxon, enough. Let him go.”

Why am I sticking up for Raegan? I’m losing my mind. I have to get out of here. I push off of Josh and head for the front door.

“Please don’t leave like this,” Mom calls after me.

“I’m sorry, Mom. I have to go.”

I need to be alone right now.

Days Left Until Summer Break: 73

Raegan

“Aunt Raegan, wake up!”

I groan and shield my eyes from the sunlight streaming through my window. “Leave me alone, you little Gremlin.”

Mia giggles. “It’s lunchtime. Mommy says you have to get up and eat something.”

“Tell Mommy I’m not hungry.”

“Mommy!” Mia screams. “Aunt Rae said she’s not hungry!”

I cringe and flip the covers over my head, cocooning myself in the warmth. I shall stay here forever. I’ll become one with my bed. They’ll make a show about me. True Life: I’m Living in My Comforter.

“Raegan, you need to get up.”

“Your mommy tone won’t work on me, Beck.”

She sighs. “Mia, get off the bed, please.”

Mia bounces onto her bottom and springs off the bed. “What are you gonna do, Mommy?”

It’s quiet. Quiet is never good.

“Becca?” I call from under the blanket.

The next thing I know, my mattress tilts upward and I’m rolling sideways onto the floor.

“Why didn’t I think of that?” my mom asks.

Mia squeals. “My turn! I want a ride!”

I rub my backside and glare at the traitors before me. “I hate you all.”

Mia crawls onto my lap, uninvited. “Aunt Rae, you need to brush your hair.”

“She needs a weedwhacker at this point,” Becca says to my mom.

I hold Mia’s chubby little face in my hands. “I’ll buy you a puppy if you get your mother out of my room.”

In a flash, she’s up and pushing on Becca’s legs. “Mommy, hurry! You need to get out so I can get a puppy!”

“Mia, your aunt is lying. You can’t trust a word she says right now. She’s not herself.”