Chapter 6

Nick shoved me inside.

“Laura, what happened to you?”

“You have everything. Parents, a brother, a husband, and money. What more do you want?”

“You weren’t this mean before Sarah disappeared. What’s wrong with you?”

My stomach was killing me. I struggled to look at him. “…Why?”

“Maybe because I’m dying.”

“Nick, I’m dying. I don’t want to hide it anymore.”

He lost it. He grabbed my hair and dragged me to the storage room, ignoring Maria’s protests.

He stood in the doorway.  The dark storage room and the bright living room lit up one side of his face. His face was distorted.

“Laura, I thought we could be happy together.”

He slammed the door shut. I curled up, clutching my stomach. I thought of the first birthday I spent with the Millers.

It was supposed to be my birthday, my first birthday with them. But everyone was focused on Sarah.

They didn’t want to make her upset, so they didn’t even get me a cake. I was so careful. I didn’t want to cause problems, so I hid in the garden and cried.

“If you cry on your birthday your wishes won’t come true”

“Wipe your tears. I’ll help you make a wish. I promise, it’ll come true!”

I still remembered my wish. Laura and Nick would be together forever. Nick was right. If you cry, your wishes won’t come true.

The storage room was dark.

I didn’t know what time it was. I woke up in pain and fell asleep when it faded.

Finally, the door opened.

A shaky voice said, “Laura? Can you hear me?”

I opened my eyes, trying to see. Was that Nick? No, it was a dream. That couldn’t be Nick. I saw Maria.

She ran towards me