Lily left again, and Daphne looked away from her older brother. What must Mother think if her golden child is doing drugs? Or does she just write it off as a bid for her attention?

  Daphne’s stomach turned. I bet mother doesn’t even bat an eye at it. She probably sees him doing drugs as completely harmless. Daphne’s hands balled up into fists underneath the table. From my experience, his doing drugs is anything but harmless. Maggie had to go out of her way to pick me up for Thanksgiving today because my car is still impounded.

  She clenched her jaw. I can’t get angry, she reminded herself. It’s too dangerous. I’ll get my justice tomorrow when I call the police and tell them that I do want to press charges against him.

  Lily continued to pass out plates and Kimberly gently tapped her fork against her bubbling champagne glass. “If I may,” she said, as the little bit of chatter in the room died off. “I would like to say a few words before we get to eating.” She smiled, and Daphne could tell she was trying to use the serene, signature, Kimberly Woods smile that she used on TV.

  Daphne’s stomach growled at the scent of the heaping plate of food sitting in front of her. What would I pay to be a part of a family that doesn’t have to give speeches right before a dinner? How great it would be to just be able to dig in.

  “I’m so grateful that we all get to be together on this absolutely beautiful Thanksgiving day,” Kimberly said, the serenity of her smile not cracking. Daphne looked up at Victoria and noticed that her eyes were just as wide as her brother’s.

  What the fuck? I understand needing to get through Thanksgiving high…Kimberly Woods is still my mother…but I can’t understand actually following through with it.

  Daphne’s eyes drifted over to her mother’s face as she continued talking. “Now that we are all together again, these days I am reminded of an old saying… ‘blood is thicker than water.’” Kimberly’s smile brightened. “It’s important for family to stick together, as no one will ever love you more than your own family. Nothing can ever compare, or come close.”

  Daphne grimaced a little, and then hid it as Kimberly’s eyes scanned over her face. If this is love, then I want no part in it. Daphne’s stomach rolled again.

  “Families have to take care of one another,” Kimberly continued, “Come what may. No matter what perceived hurts may come in between family members.” Kimberly’s look sharpened for a moment at Daphne, before her smile came back and she continued to look around the room.

  Daphne looked down at her plate and scowled. So, I’m supposed to let myself get fucked over by Cy simply because we’re family? If Daphne was alone, she knew she would have barked out a sarcastic laugh. What a fucking joke this family is.

  “…we all have to have one another’s backs,” Kimberly continued. “We have to stick together, and do our best for one another, so that nothing can come in between us, and no one can tear us down.”

  You mean…so that Kimberly Woods can continue to look like she has the perfect family.

  “I love all of my children and grandchildren, in their own special ways,” Kimberly said. Lily placed one of the last plates right in front of Maggie’s youngest daughter. The only person who was missing a plate now was Viola.

  Finally. Daphne’s stomach gurgled at her. I’ve literally eaten nothing today in anticipation of this meal.

  “As soon as Viola gets her plate,” Kimberly said, gesturing at the last Woods sibling, “Let us dig in, remember to be grateful for one another, and be joyous!” Kimberly lifted her champagne glass into the light, the golden liquid glowing. She brought it down and took a drink.

  “Mother,” Maggie’s voice said. Daphne turned her head to look at her older sister. “Would you mind if I say a few words myself?”

  Ugh. Why Maggie? Why? I just want to eat!

  “Of course,” Kimberly said brightly. “I’m so glad you’re willing to share with us.” At the end of her sentence, her voice sharpened.

  She is very much not happy Maggie wants to share. And neither am I.

  “Thank you,” Maggie said with a small smile. “I just really wanted to address the elephant in the room.”

  Daphne swallowed hard. Surely, she doesn’t mean she’s going to bring up my car, right? Daphne’s palms started sweating. Surely not, right?

  “Despite your honeyed words, Mother, you sure do hide a lot from your children,” Maggie said. She paused, taking a deep breath.

  Oh no, oh no, no, no…She’s really just going to go for it, isn’t she?

  “Not to mention that your logic about families only applies when there are not members of the family actively tearing one another down.”

  Daphne looked over at her mother, who’s lips were nearly an invisible line on her face they were pursed so tightly.

  “Are you done?” Kimberly snaped, sneering at Maggie. Maggie didn’t reply, and Daphne turned and noticed she was staring at their mother dead on. Kimberly scoffed. “What are you doing brining drama to our Thanksgiving, Magnolia? I don’t even know what you’re talking about. Let’s move on from this, and eat, shall we?”

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  For once, I agree with Mother. I would much rather be eating.

  “So, you’re not even going to acknowledge what happened between Cy and Daphne?” Maggie asked. “You’re not even going to tell Ollie and Viola about how their older brother stole one of their older sister’s cars and did drugs in it?”

  The room fell silent, and Daphne felt Ollie’s elbow in her side. “Is that true?” he muttered under his breath to her. She glanced over at him in the corner of her eye, and nodded slightly, just enough for him to notice, and, hopefully, not their mother.

  “You’re not going to acknowledge how Cy and Victoria look completely high out of their minds at our family Thanksgiving?” Maggie asked, gesturing over at the couple sitting next to her husband.

  Kimberly’s fork clattered against her plate. “What could you possibly be talking about, Magnolia?” Kimberly barked. Daphne could tell the words were coming out through gritted teeth, despite the bright tone of the words. “Stop making up lies.”

  “Oh, but it’s not a lie,” Maggie said, crossing her arms. “You were the one who bailed Cy out, and that’s the only reason he’s here with us today. You didn’t even bother to consider how Daphne might feel being sat across from the very person who stole her vehicle, did you?”

  Kimberly shook her head. “The police said the whole ordeal was a mistake,” she said, partially acknowledging the truth of the matter. She turned and looked at Daphne, her face fierce. “Isn’t that right, Daphne?” Kimberly asked.

  This is a test. She wants to know where my allegiances lie…if I’m going to take her and Cy’s side in the whole car theft matter, or if I’m going to stand up for myself and side with Maggie. Daphne swallowed hard. This was the very thing I was afraid was going to happen. She chewed on her lip, trying to come up with her answer. At the same time that I need to figure out who my mother’s affair partner is, I also have to recognize that I’m already tired again of being bullied by my mother.

  Daphne cleared her throat and met her mother’s crystal blue eyes. “It was most certainly not a mistake made by law enforcement,” she said firmly.

  “Daphne!” Kimberly screamed, standing up so rapidly the chair she was sitting on tipped over onto the ground with a loud bang.

  Daphne flinched. Whenever her mother started screaming, all hell was about to break loose…whether that was hands flying at her, or words.

  “Just like how you’re not going to tell your kids about how you cheated on Dad and had an affair with another man, are you?” Maggie’s steady voice asked.

  Daphne’s head whirled over to her older sister. How does she know that?

  “Just like how you’re not going to tell us that one of the five of us isn’t father’s child. You had the child of that other man, and forced Dad to raise the child as if it were his own.”

  A lump formed in Daphne’s throat. How did Maggie find that out? Her mind drifted to the glitter bomb. Surely it wasn’t Maggie who sent that? Surely Maggie isn’t my killer, right? What reason would she have to kill me? She swallowed hard, trying to reduce the swirl of emotions inside of her.

  Kimberly’s face was murderous. She had her dinner knife still in hand and was pointing it in Maggie’s general direction. Her perfectly composed face was just the opposite; it was scrunched up, red and puffy. Her lips were shaking. “T-that’s a l-l-lie!” Kimberly shouted finally.

  Daphne shook her head a little at herself. Maggie is probably not my killer. She’s probably been looking into this for her own reasons. I don’t know if this same thing happened in the past or not because I talked to neither of them the first go around.

  “Do you think I would accuse you of such a thing without proof?” Maggie asked, pulling out a large, manilla envelope from underneath the table and putting it in front of her. “Would you like to tell the others which one of us it is, or would you like me to?” Maggie asked.

  The lump in Daphne’s throat grew, and her stomach rolled around inside of her. Maggie would have told me in advance, if it was me, right?

  “I’d also really love it if you’d tell us if it’s the child’s father you’ve been getting all of your money from,” Maggie said smugly. “After all, that money should be going towards taking care of the child, right? Gardeners don’t make as much money as you do, Mother.”

  Daphne’s eyes widened. She’s right. I don’t ever remember the last time Mother actually competed and won prize money. It was never enough money to afford her such a luxurious lifestyle in the first place. I never even considered…that money could be a part of this.

  “You’ve lost your God damn mind, Magnolia!” Kimberly shrieked. “How dare you bring your fucked up lies into our happy family Thanksgiving?”

  Maggie shook her head, smirking a little. “I figured you’d probably do it the hard way,” she said. “You always do, anything to cover up your misdeeds and make yourself look good, right?” Maggie opened the envelope and pulled out a sheet of paper and handed it across the table to Oliver.

  “The one who isn’t Dad’s child…” Maggie paused, and Daphne noticed there were tears on the cusp of falling from Maggie’s eyes. “…is Viola.” She looked back over at Kimberly. “Who is Viola’s father?” Maggie demanded. “Viola deserves to know!”

  Ollie handed the DNA tests to Daphne. At the top was Viola’s full name. Beneath, there were two names, Maggie’s and Viola’s. The conclusion was “probable half-siblings.” Daphne flipped to the next page, where it had Viola’s name and her father’s…Ian Woods. “Not biologically related.”

  Daphne covered her mouth. A mixture of emotions swirled through her. At the same time that she was grateful and relieved that Ian Woods was her father, she felt pity and despair for her younger sister. She’s only seventeen years old. And now she’s found out that she doesn’t even know who her real father is.

  “Leave, Magnolia,” Kimberly said, pointing her knife downward on to the plate, and dragging it across the edge of it, making a shrill, shrieking noise. “Now.”

  Maggie stood up, Michael standing up next to her. Maggie grabbed the hand of the daughter who was sitting next to her, and gently tugged. The girl got up reluctantly, while Michael came around and snatched the younger one out of her chair. “I’m going to file for custody of Viola,” Maggie informed her mother.

  “On what grounds?” Kimberly snarled.

  “On the grounds of child abuse and neglect,” Maggie shot back. She turned and walked with her daughter and Michael, out of the room, just as Kimberly threw the knife towards where they had been standing.

  Daphne’s guts twisted, and her chest felt heavy. I need to leave. This version of Mother is far more dangerous than the one’s I’ve dealt with in the past.

  “Whoa,” Cy said, his words slurred. “Mom, why are you throwing knives at Victoria?” he asked.

  “Shut up, Cy,” Kimberly said. She turned to Daphne and Ollie. “Do you think I just meant Maggie?” Kimberly asked. “Get out.”

  Daphne, Ollie and Alexa all stood, Daphne still clutching the DNA test in her hand. Man I’m really hungry. She filed out after her younger brother. What a shame that all of this went down before we got a chance to eat. Maybe Asher’s family will have leftovers I can snag.

  “Do you mind giving me a ride home?” Daphne asked Ollie.

  “Sure,” he replied with a curt nod.

  The car was silent, as they were all likely still processing what had just happened.

  Viola is only my half-sibling. Daphne shook her head. This confirms what the author of the glitter bomb said. Mother did have an affair and have another man’s child. She pursed her lips. All I have to do now is figure out who Viola’s father is to be one step closer to the woman who is most likely…my murderer.