In the Name of Love and Loss

Through my tears, I started to laugh. "Do you really want to know?"

Seeing me laugh only seemed to boost his confidence. He smirked. "Have I been too soft on you? You think you can pull this kind of stunt with me? I'm telling you, if I don't see Millie today, you're out of this house."

That suited me just fine. I didn't want to stay here another second. I turned and started packing.

Liam's anger only flared more, though he and Vivian didn't stop their little duet.

"Liam, where will Andrea go?" Vivian asked, pretending to care. "She probably doesn't even have enough money to rent a place."

Liam scoffed. "If she's that desperate, she can come begging. Tell me where Millie is, Andrea, and I might throw you a few scraps for old time's sake."

I ignored them both. He still thought I was using Millie to manipulate him.

As I carefully packed a framed photo of Millie from the living room, Vivian reappeared from the bedroom, holding Millie's doll like a trophy, a smug smile on her face as she presented it to Liam.

"Liam, this doll is so vintage. It reminds me of toys I had as a kid. Look, it even has those little dimples on her face! Don't you think it looks a bit like me?"

Liam chuckled, patting her head. "If you like it, it's yours."

My hands clenched. I stepped forward, glaring at him. "That's Millie's favorite toy. What gives you the right to give it away?"

His response was as callous as ever. "It's a raggedy doll. What's it worth, anyway? Why are you so worked up? I could buy Millie a whole room full of dolls—she'd be thrilled and wouldn't care about this worthless thing."

Before he could finish, I grabbed a heavy ornament from the table and hurled it at him. He wasn't quick enough; the sharp edge hit his forehead, and blood started trickling down.

Vivian's face went pale. "Have you lost your mind? You hit Liam over a stupid doll?"

Vivian threw herself into his arms, tears streaming as she fussed over his injury. "I'm sorry, Liam. This is my fault. I shouldn't have taken Andrea's things."

Liam's face darkened, and in a burst of anger, he tore the doll's arm clean off and tossed it at my feet.

Just like Millie's life—once gone, it was gone.

A wave of helplessness washed over me. I had nothing left.

The room buzzed around me as I lifted my hand and slapped Vivian across the face, shouting, "That was Millie's keepsake! I hate you both!"

I raised my hand again, but this time Liam caught my wrist mid-air. Vivian buried her face in his chest, her eyes glinting with smug satisfaction.

I glared up at him. "Millie is dead. You could buy a thousand dolls now, and it wouldn't matter. Are you happy?"

His face went ice-cold. "Millie is your daughter too, but all you ever do is curse her. Do you even have a heart? She's probably as messed up as you made her. Since you're so hopeless, get out. Millie has no mother now!"

Suddenly, his phone rang, cutting through the tense silence. He answered, and his grandmother's voice came through, sharp and unmistakable.

"Liam, where were you on Millie's birthday?"

He kept his face blank. "Grandma, you're back? I was busy with work that day—couldn't get away."

"You fool! Do you even know that was Millie's last birthday? She died that very day!"