Crocodile Tears

VANESSA

“I didn’t want it to end like this,” I said, barely holding back the fake sob crawling up my throat. I pressed my palm to my chest and dropped my gaze to the floor as mother rushed up the stairs, yelling Daphne’s name and begging her to stop running.

But Daphne didn’t stop. The door slammed upstairs, and everything went silent for a beat.

Then Beatrice let out a breath of satisfaction and