My Sister Stole My Husband novel · Chapter 16 of 24

Chapter 16: Tears With Nothing to Buy

The buzzer went at nine on Thursday night, and Maeve knew it wasn't her mother, because her mother always leaned on it.

This was one short press, and then nothing.

She went down the stairs in her socks.

Alexis stood on the front steps in the rain with a rolling suitcase and no umbrella.

Her hair was flat against her head.

She wasn't wearing lipstick, and her mouth looked pale and small.

"Waylon changed the lock on the Somerville place," she said. "His name's on the lease. Mine isn't."

"I know whose name is on it. I paid for three months."

"I know you did." Alexis's voice shook. "Mom won't pick up. I've called her over and over. Can I come in? Just in the hall."

Maeve held the door open, and Alexis pulled the suitcase over the threshold and stood dripping on the mat.

Maeve did not offer her a towel.

"Say what you came to say."

"Waylon told the bank I forged it. And Mom says if anyone asks, I have to say Dad signed in front of me." Alexis wiped her face with her wrist. "I can't say that. I watched him refuse."

"Then you came for me to fix it."

"I came because I don't have anyone else."

The old sound started in her sister's throat, the small wet catch that had ended every argument since Alexis was six.

Maeve waited for it.

In her whole life, that sound had made her put things down and pick her sister up.

She folded her arms instead.

"I'm not going to tell you it's all right," she said.

"I didn't ask you to."

"Then stop crying and tell me what happens on Saturday."

Alexis stared at her.

Something moved across her face, and the tears stopped, because for the first time they had nothing to buy.

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