Louise shot me a dirty look while putting on a show of piling shrimp onto my plate.
"Here, eat up. The shrimp will do you good. Mom's only asking for a little blood donation. No need to stir up trouble," she said with fake sweetness.
Nice. She was flipping the script on me.
I put on my best-hurt face. "Mom, you're so careless. You know I break out in hives from shrimp. Dad made such a big deal about reminding you. Don't tell me you forgot?"
Louise had always doted on her precious son, never sparing a thought for me.
Now she was trying to play the doting mother in front of Dad.
If she wanted to put on an act, I'd play along.
Dad clenched his fists, his voice getting more challenging with each word. "Is this... is this how you've been taking care of Grace?"
Louise's face turned ashen. Her thin lips tightened, but she couldn't find the words to respond.
I showed the needle marks on my wrist, choking back tears. "Dad... I always eat leftovers. My stomach hurts all the time now. If you want me to donate blood, I will..."
Disgust flashed in Louise's eyes as she turned to Dad. "Who are you going to believe? Her or me?"