You didn’t know it, but Cherry would do anything to keep you. Anything.

Even slamming a champagne glass into her head to frame your mother. Anyone trying to keep the two of you apart was a threat.

You hear the front door open and footsteps in a rush. “Cherry?” you call out, heart pounding, running into the bedroom to find her packing her bags.

“I can’t have your mother in my life anymore. She’s… she’s dangerous.”

“What’s happened? Did she… did she do this to you?” you ask, eyes widening as you see the cut on the side of her head.

“I just went over there to talk and try to make amends. But she attacked me, and yelled at me in front of the whole gallery.”

"Oh, Cherry," you say, pulling her into your arms, completely believing her story—unaware of the small, triumphant smile she hides behind your back, satisfied that you’ve bought into her lies.