Chapter Sixteen

(Violet's POV)

“No!” my voice shrikes in overwhelmed denial. I aggressively throw the papers to the ground and grit my teeth, tears clouding my sight.

Bella remains silent and merely maintains her stare, an unidentifiable emotion plastered on her face. My breathing grows heavy and the previous brief happiness was obliterated.

Aunt Bella slowly unties the ribbon in her hair and wraps it around her wrist. Her graying black hair, usually strictly tied back in a bun, falls down to her shoulders as she stops in front of me.

“You think I don't miss her too? She was my sister and I was left to pick up the pieces,” Bella speaks softly. My face lowered at the realization of a selfish perspective.

I had no right to assume anything about what Bella feels. This was her showing a rare gentle side and that perhaps my mother's death was just as painful for her.

A brief moment to contemplate the idea proves how absurd such a notion was. Was she really trying to guilt me and get away with her acti