Unbeknownst to their parents, Violet and Cole had a clandestine 9-month relationship before parting ways following Cole's injury, courtesy of Paige. Despite the messy breakup, Violet managed to maintain a positive connection with the Walters, except...
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Violet sat at the table, listlessly stirring her cereal while Isaac, Lee, and Jordan bantered around her. The chatter barely reached her; she could feel Isaac sneaking glances at her, the way he always did when he knew something was wrong. But he didn't push. Not yet. Not with the others here.
The back door creaked open. "Good morning!" Jackie's voice was bright, hopeful, like a beam of sunlight pushing through a stormcloud.
Violet's head snapped up, forcing a smile. "Good morning!" she echoed warmly. But her smile faltered when she realized the boys hadn't even looked up. Isaac's spoon clinked against his bowl; Lee smirked at Jordan over some private joke. Not one word.
Violet swatted Isaac's arm. "Don't be rude. Say good morning."
He muttered something unintelligible, eyes glued to his food. Lee shrugged, Jordan snorted. The silence after Jackie's greeting pressed against Violet's ribs.
Nathan, leaning on the counter, caught Violet's eye. They shared the same thought: this is going to be bad. He cleared his throat. "Come on, you guys. Seriously."
Nothing.
The tension grew thick, suffocating, until Katherine swept in, her warmth cutting through the air. "Hi, Jackie! How are you this morning?"
"I'm okay," Jackie said, though her smile wobbled.
"Well, your hair looks awesome," Katherine said cheerfully, eyeing the bright streaks.
Jackie's grin widened a fraction. "Thanks."
But Katherine's smile dimmed as she turned on the boys. "And listen, I promise there will be no more pranks. Period. Right, boys?" Her eyes locked onto Isaac, Jordan, Lee.
"Yup," Isaac muttered, unconvincing.
Jackie's eyes dropped, her voice softer now. "You... you saw the video?"
"I did." Katherine's tone sharpened. "And Isaac is paying for your hair dye out of his allowance. And both you and Cole owe Jackie a proper apology."
Her stare pinned Isaac until he finally sighed, rolled his eyes, and turned toward Jackie. "Sorry." The word came flat, dead, like he was spitting out a seed.
Jackie nodded politely, but Violet could see the way her jaw tightened. Isaac's smug grin after the apology made Violet's blood boil. She shoved her bowl into the sink harder than she meant to.
"Now," Katherine said briskly, trying to smooth the cracks, "since we've got another girl in the house, I think it makes sense that the downstairs bathroom is just for Jackie and Parker—"
"Benny's bathroom," Lee interrupted sharply.
"—and Benny," Katherine amended, her patience thinning.
