Broken homes

Fractured Ties

Abigail stormed out of the house, her chest heaving with anger. She didn't know where she was going—she just needed to go.

She fumbled for her phone, dialing before she could even think.

"Pick up, pick up, pick up—"

"Hello?"

Lily's voice was groggy, like she'd just woken up, but Abigail didn't care.

"Where the hell are you?" Abigail snapped.

There was a pause. Then a sigh. "What do you want, Abigail?"

"I want to know why the hell you're hiding out instead of dealing with the mess you created!"

Silence.

Abigail exhaled sharply, forcing herself to calm down. "Lily, where are you?"

Another pause. Then, reluctantly, Lily mumbled, "Shawn's."

Abigail clenched her jaw. Of course.

"Stay there. I'm coming over."

Before Lily could protest, Abigail hung up and turned on her heel, heading straight for Shawn and Jack's apartment.

When Abigail arrived, she barely knocked before pushing the door open.

Inside, Lily was sitting on the couch, legs curled under her, wearing one of Shawn's old flannels over a tank top. Shawn was in the kitchen, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed, watching her.

Abigail didn't care. She marched straight up to Lily. "Get up."

Lily groaned. "Oh my God, what now?"

Abigail grabbed her arm. "Get. Up."

Shawn stepped forward, frowning. "Hey, take it easy—"

"You stay out of this," Abigail snapped, her glare cutting him off.

Shawn raised his hands in surrender but didn't move.

Lily yanked her arm free, her face twisting in irritation. "What the hell is your problem?"

"My problem?" Abigail let out a humorless laugh. "Oh, I don't know, maybe the fact that our dad just admitted he's done with you?"

Lily stiffened.

Abigail's voice dropped. "Yeah. He's tired, Lily. He's over it. Over you."

Lily scoffed, but there was something guarded in her expression now. "Well, good for him. He was never that involved anyway."

Abigail's hand curled into a fist. "Do you even hear yourself? You're pushing everyone away. Me. Cory. Dad. Now you're here with him—" she shot a glare at Shawn, "—and what? You think hiding out is gonna solve your problems?"

Lily rolled her eyes. "I don't care, Abigail."

"You should care!" Abigail shouted. "Because at this rate, you're gonna end up just like Mom!"

The words hit Lily like a punch to the gut. Her whole body went still.

Shawn stepped forward. "Abigail—"

"No." Lily's voice was quiet, but there was something dangerous beneath it. She lifted her gaze, meeting Abigail's glare head-on. "I am nothing like Mom."

Abigail tilted her head. "Oh, really? Because you're drinking just like she did. You're self-destructing just like she did. You're treating the people who actually give a damn about you like shit. Just. Like. She. Did."

Lily's jaw clenched. "Shut up, Abigail."

"Or what?" Abigail challenged. "You gonna throw something like she used to? Scream at me? Pass out on the floor? Go ahead, Lily. Prove me right."

Lily shot up from the couch so fast that the empty beer bottle on the coffee table tipped over. "I SAID SHUT UP!"

The room went dead silent.

Shawn's eyes darted between them, tension thick in the air.

Lily's hands were shaking.

Abigail let out a breath and shook her head. "You're already gone, aren't you?"

Lily swallowed hard, her lips pressed into a thin line.

Abigail scoffed. "Fine. You wanna throw your life away? You wanna be just like her? Go ahead. But don't expect me to sit here and watch."

She turned on her heel and walked out, slamming the door behind her.

Lily stood there, her breathing uneven, staring at the door as if she expected Abigail to come back.

But she didn't.