“Is that how she always talked to you?” he whispers to the empty room. My heart sinks. I don’t need to ask for clarification or examples. They’re in the set of his face, the harrowed look when his eyes find mine. Whatever Mom’s said to him about us missing their vow renewal, Coal’s not hurt for himself. He’s hurt realizing the depth of how she’s treated me all these years. “Don’t—” I clear my throat. “Don’t let her get to you the way I did. Don’t let it go so long, okay? If it’s too much.” Coal bats away my concern. “Oh, don’t you worry. I let her have it the moment she tried to lay blame on
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Crying
