Mother of Ruin

Vivian came back before dawn.

Sadie heard her on the stairs before she saw the light. The same careful, deliberate steps from last time. Unhurried. Like someone who had all the time in the world and knew it.

Willa stirred against Sadie's shoulder. Her cheek was still swollen from the slap, the bruise having deepened overnight into something purple and ugly. She had finally fallen asleep a few hour