Daphne rushed into the living room and looked for her sister. Once she found her she headed to her and before Zoey could even blink Daphne had lifted her hand and slapped her. Someone gasped, but it wasn’t Zoey.
“Daphne, what is going on?” Mrs. Allen demanded to know. Daphne rotated her head to her mother. “Why don’t you ask this slut?” she said. Another gasp. “Daphne, this is no way to talk in front of guests” Mrs. Allen reproached.
“What’s the matter, mom?” Daphne asked scornful. “Afraid I will spike your little balloon and everyone will see who sweet Zoey really is? A jealous, selfish, delusional bitch. Everybody in this room already knows, so why hide the truth?”
Someone coughed and Daphne turned around. Cas joined her and looked extra sheepish. “I think I might have caused some trouble”
Zoey shook her head. “No, it’s my fault” she said. “I shouldn’t have done what I did. But I didn’t do it for the reasons you and Daphne think I did” She turned to Daphne. “I was testing him. I wanted to do one final test to see if you could trust him. And you’re lucky, because he passed. He didn’t even blink”
Daphne took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down. “Well, whatever reason you had I’m still going to need you to leave”
Zoey nodded. It didn’t come as a surprise.
“Emmanuel said something and it made me think. You’re not a very good mother” Daphne said cold. “But I know that is not entirely your fault. I’m responsible as well, by keeping you here. And I won’t allow you to hold that against me. So you can go now”
“Mommy?” Alexia had noticed the awkwardness. “Are you coming home now?”
Zoey forced a smile. “Yes, Poppy, I’m coming home. I should’ve never left in the first place” she said with a look at Daphne. She took Alexia by the hand and walked into the hallway.
“Zoey” Cas had followed her.
“Tell Daphne I’ll pick my stuff up later. Right now I just need to be far away from her” Zoey said.
“I’m sorry” Cas said. “I shouldn’t have told Daphne you took off your clothes for me and I shouldn’t have said you’re a bad mother. I’m in no position to judge”
Zoey kneeled down for Alexia. “Sweetie, why don’t you wait outside? You can sit on the stairs” Alexia obeyed and walked out of the house.
Zoey averted her head back to Cas. “You should stop feeling sorry for me” she said. “You think I’m the victim here, but I’m not…You are”
And with one final, compassionate look Zoey left the house too.