A marked affair

Dean, sleeves rolled up to her elbows, straightened a folded bedsheet. She'd barely set it aside when

rowed. "What hap

r away. She didn't speak until Leah set the she

again?" she

nod

a curl away from her daughter's for

muttered. "She said a lot of mean thi

trying t

ust by the garden.

the first time a complaint had come up involving Mira

ways had her own way, and you don't have to make sense of everything she does. If she

n though her hea

rooftops of Nexalith's wealthier quarters as Leah and Iris boarded a rickety public taxi just outs

eftover stew on the stove while Iris sat on the

er a while, not looki

es

I look l

used mi

e Mi

ople always ask. Even she gets angry ab

g on the mat beside her. "Y

he same. And I know

people look alike. It happens. Maybe it's a sign that you're meant for great thin

aybe she thinks I'm p

h said gently. "And if she d

tle fingers twirling a thread from Leah's w

smile. "Maybe. But y

ne of those quiet holidays when t

ked her supplies into her c

, wearing her favo

airs in the main hall. Before she left, she turned to her daughter

wil

ourse, s

the garden w

ra gliding along the tiled walkway with her bicycle, a smug smile on

she noticed Iris,

e here

ith my mum," I

s come wit

ed, trying

er. It was uncomfortable, the way she narrowed he

me?" Mira asked coldly

w," Iris rep

ed. "It's creepy. You even

plaits. "I didn't

her bike closer. "And I don't want people th

urmured, beginning

d, then suddenly push

's stomach, and as she staggered

a flowerbed where a broken metal rod stuck out of the s

scre

w the blood seep thro

ri

again, curling

paled. "Mu

through the gard

ls appeared moments later in a silk robe,

going on

. "She,she's bleeding! I

e same time, breat

ri

de as she saw the blood and the gash t

d, gently cradling the

," Mira stammered, step

h asked, he

stained eyes and po

she pu

hardened, but she didn't say a word

e her to the

B

go in

t M

ow

her daughter away, not even glancing bac