Chapter 5

Lily didn't wait for my answer.

"Hurry up and try it on. I brought this specifically for you!"

I wanted to refuse, but she'd already draped the heavy wool coat over my shoulders.

"We're real sisters, Savannah. No need to be so polite."

I stood there, uncertain. "It's just New Year's Eve dinner. There's really no need..."

But my body betrayed me. It craved this brief, illusory warmth. In the end, I let her.

When Lily led me out in the new coat, I caught something rare in my parents' eyes: approval.

Mom smiled, her expression unusually soft. "That color suits you, Savannah. Looks good."

Dad was already carrying dishes from the kitchen. "Food's ready. Come sit."

They ushered me to the table. I stayed silent, but deep in my chest, that treacherous spark of hope—the longing for a real home—flickered back to life.

The moment I picked up my chopsticks, Mom's hand shot out. Smack.

She struck the back of my hand with her own chopsticks. Hard.

"We have a guest," she scolded. "Wait."

Only then did I notice the empty seat beside me. Bowl and chopsticks already set out.

Before I could ask, the doorbell rang.

My brother-in-law practically sprinted to the door, ushering in a stranger.

Mid-thirties. Bloated figure. Gut straining against his shirt. Oily smile, small shifting eyes.

He grinned at me.

My skin crawled instantly. I forced a polite nod.

"This is...?"

Lily raised her voice for the whole table. "Savannah, this is Jack Pruitt. Your brother-in-law and I set this up. He's quite a catch!"

My blood ran cold.

Not a family reunion. An ambush.

I looked around. Mom, Dad, Lily—all smiling, but no warmth in their eyes. Only calculation. I'd been a fool to expect anything else.

Lily walked behind my chair, leaning down to whisper to Jack. Her voice dripped with cloying sweetness.

"I didn't lie, did I? My sister's a college graduate. Never been in a relationship. Very... clean."

She emphasized that word like I was merchandise being inspected.

Jack's gaze raked over me. Nausea surged in my throat.

I pushed my chair back to leave.

Lily's hand clamped onto my shoulder like a vice.

"It's New Year's," she hissed. "Don't embarrass us." Her voice dropped lower. "Offend him and cost your brother-in-law his job? You'll regret it."

Gone was the sisterly warmth from minutes ago.

Mom chimed in. "Food's cooked. Eat first, talk later."

Trapped, I sank back into my seat.

The harassment started the second Jack sat down.

His foot slid across the floor, rubbing against my calf. I pulled back sharply. He followed, pressing closer.

Above the table, he chatted and laughed with my parents. Below it, his hand crept toward my thigh.

Rage and disgust exploded inside me.

I shot to my feet, grabbed my juice, and threw it straight in his face. Then I shoved the platter off the table.

Crash!

"Got an itch? See a doctor!" I screamed. "Keep your filthy hands off me!"