Chapter 1: The Chair
Richard yanked the chair backward from beneath Lily.
My five-year-old daughter's head struck the edge of the Christmas table before she crashed onto the hardwood floor.
Her handmade card slid beneath Richard's dress shoe.
"Don't dirty our chair," he said.
"Sit on the floor."
I dropped beside Lily and steadied her trembling elbow.
She looked up at me with tears in her eyes.
"Mommy…
did I mess up again?"
"No."
I pulled her close and stood.
Richard pointed toward the hallway.
"Take her and leave.
This is my house."
Something inside me went completely cold.
I shoved both hands beneath the banquet table and flipped it.
Crystal shattered.
Plates crashed.
Christmas dinner scattered across the floor.
Then I looked directly at Richard.
"Why don't I remember this being your house?"
His smug expression disappeared instantly.
For one second, confusion crossed his face.
Then fear.
Daniel whispered from behind him:
May you like
"Emma…
don't say another word."
