HAPTER ONE THING PART TWO

ONE THING II

That was when I exploded, shouting:

“Damn the day I was ever adopted by a useless creature like you.”

The words came out as an echo from the past. Identical. With the same cruelty. And perfect.

Irene’s hand flew to her mouth, stunned.

“Remember how many times you said that to me, Irene?”

Silence fell like a verdict. There were no arguments left.

“You two—” I pointed first at one, then the other, watching them kneel before me, humiliating ...