–Carrie–
I stayed in my bedroom for days after the incident. I cut off all contact with Richard. I was humiliated. And it hurt—more than anything—that my grandparents and my father started looking at me differently. The only one I still had was my mother. But even she was part of the plan from the very beginning.
"You need to eat." My mother placed a tray on the table and pulled open the curtains.
"Close it!" I hissed.
She drew them halfway, letting in just a sliver of light from outside.
"It seems our plan didn't work," she said calmly. "I never imagined Livana would be this perceptive. She's insightful—just like Ines was."
I stared at her, trying to read her expression. She was still so composed, like none of this fazed her.
"Do you even care about me?" I asked.
"Sweetheart," she said, stepping closer and brushing her hand against my cheek, "you're my daughter. Of course I care—more than anything in this world."
