Page 129 of Hate So Deep

Since the counters are cleaned to her OCD specifications, it’s easy to see the picture resting by the sink.

It’s a family photo from when we took a rare trip together. I was too young to remember but judging by Mom’s stern gaze,Dad’s frown and Buck’s mouth open on a scream, it wasn’t a fun time.

What was she thinking when she brought this here? Does it matter?

My mind swirls with questions that I’m not sure I want the answer to, so I push it aside for the mundane.

If I’m going to be staying at my dad and Celia’s permanently, then I need more clothes.

It’s clear I won’t be coming back because I can’t fathom the thought of ever looking at the woman who hated me from the start again.

After stopping off in the kitchen, I grab a bottle of water and step around the island, only to pause by the wall.

Resting beside the sink is a small dish that Mom used to put her jewelry in when she washed the dishes.

Her engagement ring catches the light when I pick it up and with a frown, I glance around.

Despite their separation, my mom still wore the damn thing. Why, I’m not sure but I knew better than to ask.

If the ring is here, then where is she?

With a shrug, I drop it back in the bowl before grabbing the small bag nestled beside it.

Once it’s in my hand, I hold it to the light, staring at the pills inside.

With the information I’ve gleaned about my big brother, I suspect it’s the drugs he had a habit of buying from that douche.

I searched for it on the internet, and it looks exactly the same as the date rape drug Caro asked Gage about.

Two years ago, I found something similar in my brother’s bag when I was snooping. Of course, he caught me, and I paid the painful price.

There’s no way the police would have missed this. Right?

So how did it end up here? Did my mom know about Buck's plan to frame me?

Did she care?

Biting back a weird chuckle, I approach the stairs.

Once again, I’d rather think about anything else but what’s rolling around in my head, so I’m going to pack a bigger bag before going home.

The better part of me wants to outreach Dirk but what can he do?

Not a damn thing and I’m not ready to share this latest revelation when I can’t truly process it myself.

I know what I have to do but I need a little time and selfishly, I’m going to take it.

I may be resolved but that doesn’t mean I’m not staggering under the weight of this newest revelation and at the top of the stairs, I grab the wall.

If I break down now, it will delay my departure and as it turns out, I don’t want to be home when my mom arrives.

I don’t ever want to see her again while simultaneously, I wonder what will happen to her if I go to the police with what I found.

What a complete mindfuck.

Halfway down the hall, I pause just past Buck’s room and close my eyes.

Did Mom hang something in Buck’s room?

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