Chapter 41

Nicole stood up from the bed, her eyes fixed on the door as she took a determined step towards it. "I need to ask Mom why she hid this from me," she said, her voice firm but trembling with emotion. "She has to answer me."
But just as she was about to open the door, Ashley rushed over and closed it again, her hand grasping Nicole's arm to stop her. "Nic, don't," Ashley said, her voice cracking with emotion.
Nicole turned to face her sister, her eyes blazing with a mix of anger and hurt. "Why not?" she demanded. "I have a right to know why Mom kept this from me."