Chapter 6
Go to your room, Luna,” said as we stepped inside. “Wash your hands first,”
She nodded silently, her sleeves covering the bandages I’d just wrapped. Her little figure disappeared up the stairs. I shut the door behind us, locking it
I turned toward the kitchen, craving a glass of water. But then I heard voices–low at first, then clearer as approached.
“I think it’s time I move out,” charlotte was saying.
1stopped mid–step
“What are you talking about ‘will’s voice sounded tense.
“I’ve been thinking about it. I don’t want to overstay my welcome. I’ll find a place nearby. I don’t want to be a burden.”
“You’re not a burden,” he said quickly. “Charlotte, please. Just stay here until you settle.”
“Talready looked at some listings”
“Don’t go rushing into anything.” His tone softened. “Ves don’t have to do this alone.”
“I don’t want to cause trouble
“What? Why? Is this because of what happened earlier at memom’s house?
“Are you uncomfortable here?
Charlotte laughed softly. “No, it’s not that. I just feel like I’ve stayed long enough. It’s getting awkward.”
There was a pause.
“I’ll help you find a place,” Will said quickly.
Charlotte sighed. *1 past… I don’t want Anna and your mother to misunderstand again.”
Will replied quickly. “You’re not causing anything.”
“It’s awloward,” she said. “Your mother doesn’t like me.”
Will sighed. “She doesn’t like anyone.”
“I just think it’s better if Evelyn and I live somewhere else.”
Will stayed silent for a second.
Then said. “I’ll go with you. We’ll find something safe and close.”
~ND, I
, it’s okay,” Charlotte replied. “I can manage.
“I’ll go with you,” he insisted. “Just to be sure you’re safe.”
Charlotte said nothing. Then she pizzled. “You’re always so sweet.
I stood outside the hallway wall, fists clenched
I just turned and walked away.
My heart delt numb.
I didn’t know what I felt anymore.
The next noming, will was gone. And he didn’t come home that night either.
Or the next.
Or the one after th
H
I didn’t ask. He only texted once to say, “Helping Charlotte with house visits hackson.”
Luna didn’t understand.
“Whire’s Daddy?” we asked every morning.
“He’s working.” I said softly.
By the time Luna’s birthday arrived, he still hadn’t returned.
Luma sat by the window, her pink dress spotless, a paper crown on her head. “16. Daddy coming?”
ɖidn’t know how to answer. I picked up my phone and called him
He picked up after the third ring
will–Luna’s waiting for you. It’s her birthday
“I know,” he said, sounding distracted. “I’m in the middle at something
“You’ve been gone for days”
“I’ll come when I can. Tell her I said happy birthday.”
“She’s waiting—”
Before I could say another wood, be luing up
Luna looked up at me. “Is he coming?”
“He will be “Here a smile.
Hours went by, and Lama’s smile taltered. “He’s not coming, is he? He always says birthdays are special ”
That night, I eat the cake with Lima by moelt. Jist the two of us. 1 lit six candles. She made a wish with her eyes closed and didn’t simile once.
The next moming, Charlotte waltzed in with a pink box in her hands.
“Surprise!” she chimed, “Birthday cake for the birthday girl” 1 brought a cake. Strawberry–Evelyn’s fancite too.”
Luna’s eyes darted toward
#i don’t want it,” she mumbled.
Charlotte gasped. “Oh, come on, sweetie. It’s got little unicoms on top. Just a slice!”
Luna shook her head. “No, thank you.”
Charlotte placed the box on the table.
Will walked in behind her.
He looked around the kitchen. “What’s going on?”
“She’s refusing cake,” Charlotte said, laughing lightly. “I brought it as a peace odtering.”
“Luna,” Will snapped “That’s rude. She got this for you.”
“But I don’t want it,” Luna said, voice cracking
“You will eat it,” he said stemly. “Now.”
“I don’t like strawbe
“Eat it anyway.”
I stepped forward. “Will-
“she has to leam not to be spoiled,” he snapped
Luna sat down slowly
Charlotte cut a slice and placed it on Luna’s plate with a flourish. “See? Just one bite.”
She took a small bite. Then pushed the plate away.
I could see her lips trembling
After that, Charlotte floated the next idea during lunch.
“I was thinking of visiting your company sometime,” she said casually to WILL.
He raised an eyebrow
“I mean, I want to work again. Might as well start exploring ”
Will laughed. “Ainght 111 take you tomorrow.”
She clapped her hands. “Can’t wait!”
“You’ve never let us come,” ad
He ignored me.
He left that afternoon with Charlotte and Evelyn, saying they had appointments. No mention of Luna. Not even a goodbye.
That night, Luna started scratching her arms. Her cheeks flashed. Then came the sniffles. Then the wheezing
“Moy…my my hunts..”
I touched her forehead, buming I didn’t waste another second.
We rushed to the hospital.
The nurse took her from my ans the moment we walked in. “How long has she been like this?”
she just started feeling sick, 1-1think it’s allergie.”
“What did she rat today?”
I thought for a while, then something inside me clicked in. “She had strawberry cake, and she is allergic to strawberries.”
The nurse nodded grimly. “She’s severely allergic to strawberries. This reaction has built up for hours. She’s lucky you brought her in when you did.”
They wheeled Luga away as I stood there, metiendras
Strawberry.
I should’ve noticed. I should’ve checked.
it just to please him. To avoid another scolding
1 paced the corridor for ten minutes before calling Will
I picked up after a low rings. “Anna, what’s going on?”
“Luna’s in the hospital,” I said quickly. “She had an allergic reaction. She’s buming up. Her that was closing-
She ate something with strawberries. I didn’t realize—it was the cake Charlorne brought-
“You let her eat that?” he shouted.
“She didn’t want to – you made her—
“I can’t talk right now. Evelyn’s sick too, I’m at the doctor’s”
“You need to come here!”
“I can’t!” he barked “past take care of it! you’re her mother–start acting like one!”
The line went dead.
I stood frozen in the hallway.
The doctor came out after what felt like hours. “We’ve stabilized her,” he said. “But it was a serious reaction. You caught it just in time. Any longer, and we’d be Talking about ICU
nodded, lips trembling.
Luna was asleep in the hospital bed when I walked in, cheeks flushed and eyes putty–I sat down and held her small hand gently
“He’s not coming, sweetheart,” I whispered. “But Mommy’s here.”
And I won’t going anywhere.
Not anymore
Not after this
