Chapter 6

“Mom, this is all a gesture from Vanessa. Let me take it to the kitchen.” Ethan was as attentive as a model husband. “Vanessa, sit down for a minute. I’ll be right back.”

Oh, did he really think Vanessa was going to sit comfortably in our house?

Vanessa clearly knew as much, and just remained standing where she was, waiting for him to return.

“Whatever hole you crawled out of, go crawl back into it. Don’t invite trouble on yourself.” Mom’s eyes stayed on the TV; she didn’t bother even turning her head.

“Mrs. Callahan, I really do love Ethan. What happened back then — some of it was my fault, that’s why you don’t like me, but I truly was forced. If those girls hadn’t threatened me, why would I ever have hurt Maddie?” Vanessa brought out that tearful, tragic-heroine look again.

Ethan heard the exchange and came right over, taking her hand and standing beside her like they were united against a common enemy.

“Mom, I’ve already explained. Vanessa is innocent.”