Chapter 9

Emma’s POV

“And to what do I owe this?” Mom said, disappointed.

I could already guess who it was. I remembered her cologne.

“Can we talk like adults? The kids look up to us.” She replied, as snidely as she did earlier.

“And how’s he out so soon? We barely got back.” My replied, still standing in the doorway, making no effort to shift.

“It’s just a broken bone. We can manage that outside those scary white walls. I wasn’t going to subscribe to a reminder of how I lost their dad.” She said, still without emotion.

“Mom!” I heard Kayla and Kevin chorus somewhere from behind the door.

“He must be worth a ton.” My mom said as she tore the door open for them to come in.

I did not know how to act.

For all I care, I still have unfinished business with my mom, then this.

“Hi, Emma.” Mrs. Harwell said.

“Hi.” I was both shy and nervous, but it was polite to reply when someone greets me.

Both Kayla and Kevin avoided my