“Maybe this is a blessing in disguise,” Carol murmured, her voice devoid of warmth. “She’s always been… difficult. A spirit that refused to be broken. A life lived in that state of defiance is a burden on everyone involved.”
My head snapped up, my grief momentarily eclipsed by a surge of disbelief. “What did you just say?”
Before Carol could retort, Jason shifted uncomfortably, avoiding my gaze. “She’s got a point, Mark. You know how Lily is. Some kids are just built for drama. They create chaos for attention. It’s a tragedy, of course, but maybe this is nature’s way of settling a troubled soul.”
I stared at my brother, seeing for the first time the nervous twitch in his jaw and the way his hands were stuffed deep into his pockets, as if hiding something. These were the two who had been watching Lily when she “fell.” They were the ones who told the paramedics she’d tripped in a fit of hysterics.
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