Chapter 2

The bathroom lock in my parents’ house had always been faulty.

Even when it was locked, someone outside could jiggle it open.

Through the crack in the door, I heard Vanessa mutter, “Why does she get a boyfriend like him?”

Then, colder, “Everything good in this family should be mine. Including Adrian.”

My stomach turned cold.

So that was how she saw it. Not as stealing. As taking what already belonged to her.

The lock clicked louder and louder.

Then the door opened.

Vanessa slipped inside, wrapped in a towel.

And froze.

“Why are you here?”

Adrian and I were sitting on the edge of the tub, soaking our feet.

I looked up, innocent. “What’s wrong, Vanessa? Did you need the bathroom?”

She bit her lip, eyes flicking to Adrian.

Then she made up her mind and threw herself at him.

“Claire, don’t blame me,” she cried. “I can’t control it. I think I’m having another episode.”

She thought if she managed to touch Adrian in front of me, our relationship would be damaged even if we did not break up.

Too bad for her, Adrian moved fast.

He pulled me aside.

Vanessa missed him and fell straight into the tub with a scream.

The noise brought my parents and the relatives who were staying over for the holiday rushing to the bathroom.

My mother reacted first. She grabbed a robe and wrapped it around Vanessa.

“What happened?”

Vanessa’s eyes reddened. “I had another episode. I couldn’t control myself.”

Mom stroked her hair. “It’s okay. I know you didn’t mean it.”

Then she turned to me.

“Since Vanessa and Adrian already had intimate contact, you should step aside.”

“Your sister can’t help her illness. Don’t blame her.”

Dad nodded. “Vanessa isn’t herself when this happens. Don’t fight her over him.”

Aunt Linda chimed in. “Exactly. She’s sick. You’re her sister. Be more patient.”

“He’s a grown man. A kiss, a touch, what’s the big deal?”

“The sick person comes first.”

Chloe added, “Just let Vanessa have this. You can always find someone else.”

Adrian’s grip tightened around my hand.

I frowned. “What intimate contact? Vanessa never even touched Adrian. She fell into the tub.”

Everyone went quiet.

Vanessa lowered her head and cried as if I had wronged her.

Before Mom could scold me, I spoke first.

“Oh, right. Adrian said he wants to invite everyone to his family’s lodge in Aspen for Labor Day weekend.”

“The hot springs there might help Vanessa. Maybe they’ll even cure her.”

The room lit up with interest.

Only Vanessa kept staring at Adrian.

I smiled coldly.

Wasn’t she touch-starved?

Fine. I would give her plenty of chances to test that illness on someone else.