CHAPTER 423

Valerie giggles softly, the sound cruel and hollow.

“And when he was thirteen... some girl—Mandy, or whatever her name was—actually dared to make him laugh. Right there, in front of me. Can you believe that? Mocking me, stealing him with just a stupid smile.

Her voice cracked, trembling with manic emotion.

“His eyes crinkled, that stupid little dimple showed—because of her. Like I wasn’t even the