Chapter Twenty-Three

I crawl out of bed somewhere around eleven.

Although I feel low and have nothing much to do at this time of the night, I can’t stand being alone with my thoughts. I already have a migraine and it feels like my head is going to explode. I need a momentary distraction. Food, perhaps. Anything that might help me fill this void inside of me.

My family isn’t back yet, which is a relief because I don’t want to see Mary even though I’m thinking about apologizing to her for the things that I said. I was unnecessarily harsh to her, and I shouldn’t have done that. I should have gotten a better grip on my emotions and not made a reckless decision to spew out everything that I’ve been desperately trying to hold in.

If anything, my outburst has made things worse.

Once I’m in the kitchen, I stop in my tracks by the entrance. Constance turns around to face me. She’s in her pajamas, yet she’s still here.

“Couldn’t sleep?” I ask her.

A small smile tugs at the corners of her lips. “I was actually