“Your sister’s still recovering. She came with me to the bakery to watch them make it. It’s from the heart.”
I let out a bitter laugh and nodded.
“Fine. I’ll eat.”
With Emily’s hand over mine, we cut the cake together. She smiled and passed me the largest slice.
“Sis, you have to finish it, okay? That’ll make Emily happy!”
The sticky frosting slid down my throat, and an itchy sweetness clawed at it. I instantly felt unwell.
“Pff—”
I couldn’t help it. Cream sprayed from my mouth as a violent cough seized me.
The whole cake was spattered with my saliva.
Daniel shouted, “Sarah Miller, what the hell is that supposed to mean? Trying to gross everybody out?”
Linda’s voice was heavy with disappointment. “Sarah, this really wasn’t necessary. Your sister stood over that cake for hours—it’s her hard work…”
I couldn’t respond. The coughing wouldn’t stop.
Eyes burning red, tears streaming, I could only run back to my room for my meds.
The instant the cool liquid medication touched my tongue, the irritation in my throat finally eased.
When I came out, the three of them were still standing around the cake, staring coldly.
“Sis, you really won’t forgive me?” Emily asked through tears.
Robert finally exploded:
“Eat. Since you contaminated the whole cake, you’ll finish all of it.”
“Otherwise, don’t you ever set foot in the Miller house again!”
Daniel lifted the entire cake and walked it to me.
He stuffed a fork in my hand with a smirk that didn’t reach his eyes and said:
