“You selfish bitch,” she managed, jaw still gripped in rigor mortis.
Natalie stood, shocked, silent and shaking, as she regarded the mud-covered figure in her dining room. Charlize had returned to her.
She took two quick steps forward, tears in her eyes and joy in her heart; Charlize backed away.
“Why did you do this to me?” Charlize choked. “Why did you bring me back?”
“I wasn’t ready, Charlie,” Natalie whimpered. “I couldn’t—”
“But I was!” Charlie reached for the steak knife laid out beside Natalie’s dinner. She tightened her death-stiff fingers around the handle. “I was done! At peace. Resting.”
“Charlie, please.” Natalie’s tears soured, no longer revelling in a miracle but drowning in shame. “I couldn’t live with you gone.”
“That’s why you’ve always been the selfish one.”
Charlie took the blade to her throat and slashed.
