I burst into Lily's hospital room, heart racing. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"
Lily and Zoe looked up from their card game, startled by my entrance.
"Whoa, easy there, Wonder Woman," Zoe said, raising an eyebrow. "Everything's fine. Why the panic?"
I blinked, confusion replacing fear. "But… the nurse said there was an urgent call about Lily."
Zoe's eyes widened in realization. "Oh, shit. That was me. I saw you with Dr. Warren and thought you could use a rescue. I didn't mean to freak you out."
Relief washed over me, quickly followed by exasperation. "Zoe, I swear to God—"
"Language," Lily chirped, grinning.
I let out a breath, tension unraveling. "You two are going to be the death of me."
Zoe stood, pulling me into a hug. "Sorry, Ari. But seriously, you looked like you were about to combust in there. What did the doc want?"
I sank into the chair beside Lily's bed, suddenly exhausted. "He's received some 'concerning reports' about our home situation. I think he's considering whether it's safe for Lily to go back."
Lily's smile vanished, replaced by worry. "What does that mean, Ari?"
Before I could answer, my phone buzzed. Unknown number.
"Ms. Thorne, this is Detective Reyes. We need you to come to your family home immediately. It's urgent."
A chill ran through me. "What happened?"
"Come to the house. We'll explain when you get here."
"Zoe, I need to go," I said, grabbing my jacket. "Can you stay with Lily?"
Zoe nodded, concern etched on her face. "Of course. What's wrong?"
"I don't know," I admitted, my heart pounding. "But I have to go home. Now."
Lily sat up, alarmed. "Ari, what's happening?"
I forced a smile. "Nothing to worry about, squirt. I'll be back soon."
As I rushed out, Zoe called after me, "Be careful!"
The drive home was a blur. My fingers tightened around the wheel, knuckles white. Something was wrong. The detective's voice had that tone—controlled, but urgent.
When I turned onto my street, my stomach dropped. Two police cars were parked outside our house, their lights flashing, casting eerie shadows on the porch.
I barely threw the car into park before jumping out.
Detective Reyes met me at the door, his expression grave. "Ms. Thorne, I'm sorry, but there's been an incident. Your mother—"
My breath hitched. "What about her? Is she okay?"
His eyes softened, but his voice remained firm. "I'm very sorry. She's been killed."
The words slammed into me, stealing my breath. "No… that's impossible. I just talked to her this morning."
"I understand this is a shock," Reyes said gently. "But we need to ask you some questions. When was the last time you saw your mother?"
I shook my head, trying to make sense of it. "This morning, before I went to the hospital. What happened?"
He hesitated. "We're still investigating, but it appears there was an altercation. Do you know anyone named Candace?"
"Candace?" I repeated, my mind scrambling. "That's Frank's girlfriend. My stepfather's girlfriend. Why?"
Reyes's expression darkened. "She's the one who called it in. She claims it was an accident."
A ringing started in my ears. "What do you mean, an accident?"
"According to her, she and your mother were arguing. It escalated. She pushed your mother, and she hit her head on the coffee table."
The world tilted. I reached out, gripping the doorframe for support. "No. No, that doesn't make sense. Candace and my mom… they fought all the time, but she wouldn't—she wouldn't—"
Reyes sighed. "We don't believe it was intentional, but she's in custody while we investigate. There's something else, Ms. Thorne. Frank is missing."
I stiffened. "Missing?"
"We haven't been able to locate him. Candace says he wasn't here when it happened, but we need to confirm that."
As if on cue, the screech of tires cut through the night.
I turned just in time to see Frank's truck barrel down the street before lurching to a stop. The moment he stepped out, I felt the rage radiating off of him.
"You!" His voice boomed, his eyes locking onto me with fury. "This is your fault, you ungrateful little brat!"
"Frank—" Reyes started, stepping between us.
Frank wasn't having it. He shoved past the detective, advancing on me, his face red with rage. "Your mother's dead, and you're standing here like some damn victim? You did this! You poisoned her against me! You turned her into some bitter—"
"Back off," I snapped, my hands balling into fists. "You don't get to stand here and act like you give a damn. Where the hell were you, Frank?"
His eyes darkened. "Don't talk to me like that, girl. I should've—"
"That's enough," Reyes interrupted, stepping in again. "Frank Thorne, you need to calm down."
Frank turned on him, eyes wild. "Or what? You gonna arrest me for raising my voice? She's the problem! Always has been!"
Reyes exchanged a glance with one of the officers. Then, before Frank could spew another word, the cop stepped forward.
"Frank Thorne, you are under arrest as a suspected accomplice to the murder of your wife," the officer announced, reaching for his cuffs.
Frank's face twisted in shock. "What? No! I wasn't even here!"
"Then you won't mind answering a few questions down at the station," Reyes said coolly.
The officer grabbed Frank's arm, twisting it behind his back as he fought. "You can't do this! I didn't kill her! It was Candace, not me!"
"Then you'll have nothing to worry about," Reyes replied.
I stepped back, watching as Frank was shoved into the squad car.
For the first time in years, he had no power. No control.
And I felt nothing.
No satisfaction. No relief.
Just cold, numbing emptiness.
Reyes turned to me, his expression unreadable. "We'll be in touch, Ms. Thorne. In the meantime, get some rest. You have a long road ahead."
I nodded, but I wasn't sure how to move. How to breathe.
Frank was in cuffs. Mom was dead.