Chapter 24

Dean’s POV

Nobody says anything for a long moment after I answer her.

Diane's face goes white. She sits there, blinking, and I can see her doing the math in real time — that Marie already knew. That whatever she thought she'd managed to keep hidden all those years, her own daughter had been carrying it the whole time, silently, alone.

"You knew he was using." Diane's voice comes out small, disbelieving. "This whole time. Marie. You knew, and you never—"

Marie makes a sound. Not really a laugh. More like something got knocked loose.

"Yeah, Mom. I knew."

Diane just stares at her, something breaking open behind her eyes.

Marie laughs again, louder this time.

"I can't do this right now." She's already up, already walking. "I can't."

"Marie—"

She doesn't stop. I go after her, leaving Diane at the table with Dad's hand over