One Last Hope

Chapter 21

⭐"In the end, we all just want someone who chooses us. Over everyone else, under any circumstances."⭐
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The atmosphere back at the house is still tense. Lorie's at the top of her game...

It was a real headache preparing something nice to eat and she still refuses to eat!

Nora: "Come on, Lorie... Be a cutie and eat, please."

Lorie: "I said no! I don't want it! Deal with it!"

Nora: "But you're going to get sick if you don't eat! You can't go on like this."

Lorie: "Leave me alone! I'll do what I want!"

I sigh loudly. I'm not going to tear my hair out over this. She's just a little brat.

Nora: "Lorie... Make an effort, will you? I'm just as tired as you are. If you eat something, we can both go up to bed."

Lorie: "I'm not tired. You're just not a good cook, that's all!"

Nora: "Lorie..."

I'm having a hard time keeping it together.

Nora: "Okay, now that's enough! You're going to eat at least half of what's on your plate."

Lorie: "No! No! No!"

I try to bring the spoon to her mouth for the fifteenth time, but she turns her head away.

Nora: "I can't believe this! What do I have to do to get you to eat?"

Lorie: "Nothing! You can't force me! I hate you!"

When I touch her, I get a shock. Her skin is so cold!

Nora: "My God, Lorie! You're frozen! Is everything all right? You're not sick, are you?"

I put my hand on her forehead. It's just as cold. She pulls away from me with a scowl.

Lorie: "Whatever! I'm not sick, I just need you to leave me alone!"

I try to take her by the arm again, but she pushes me away so hard that I fall to the floor!

I look up at her triumphant grin and I feel my fury burning inside me.

I stumble up to my feet and step towards her.

I put my hands on the table as calmly as possible and bend over, looking her straight in the eye.

Nora: "All right, young lady, since you've decided to be so mean, I'm going to be mean too!"

Lorie: "I don't care. I'm going to my room. You're a bad cook and a bad nanny."

She stands on her chair and gives me a little victory dance. Is it wrong to have an irresistible urge to strangle a child?

I turn away. I just can't stand the sight of her! She's like a little demon!

As she tries to jump down from her chair, my gaze falls on the mirror hanging across.

I can't believe this... I move a little closer to it...

I must be hallucinating! She didn't have a reflection!

I blink in confusion and watch as Lorie runs off laughing.

Nora: "Hey! Come back here!"

Too late, the little minx is gone already. I turn back to the mirror.