"That's my dress!"

"No, it's mine!"

"No! It's mine, Emilia!"

I was sitting on a nearby chair, watching as my sisters argued over the most hideous, pink, poofy dress I had ever seen. I found it entertaining seeing how much they wanted to kill each other over it. They instantly shut their mouths once our dad came into the room, however.

"What in the world are you two screaming about!?"

He was visibly upset. One thing we knew to never do was make our dad upset.

"I can hear you from my office."

"Sorry," Lizzy said, letting go of the dress. "She took my dress."

"Did not!"

"Did so!"

"My word, you two are too old to be acting out like this."

He took the dress from Emilia's hand.

"You both have plenty of dresses. There's no need to argue about this one when you two can share, and have all your other dresses to yourselves."

"But I don't want to share-"

"You'll share this dress, Lizzy, or so help me I will put this in Ember's closet instead so she can have it."

"I don't want that dress," I frowned. "It's ugly. And it looks itchy too."

"You say that about every dress we make you wear," he sighed. "I hope you'll grow out of that. You are only nine."

He playfully threw the dress at me, causing me to giggle and run away from it.

"I don't want it!"

"Well that's too bad, ain't it?"

"No!"

I ran out of the bedroom, losing my footing on the way. Of course, I had to fall on my face the moment I got a few feet away from the door. I could hear Emilia and Lizzy laughing at me as I struggled to pick myself up.

"That isn't funny, girls!"

We instantly got quiet once we heard her voice. Mom. She was finally back after being gone for a few days doing the things she did as a singer. We all missed seeing her face. I was the first to see her again after she picked me up off the floor. Her lively blue eyes greeted me with their familiar friendliness the moment we made eye contact.

"Are you okay, honey?"

"I'm okay."

"Good. You're tough, aren't you?"

"Yeah. I'm tough like you."

"You sure are."

She gave me kisses all over my face, causing me to giggle once again. Eventually, Lizzy and Emilia came running out of the room to greet her as well. Laughter filled the air quickly, especially after each of us got our own kisses from her.

"Is it my turn now?"

A smirk began to form on Ellie's face as our dad walked up to her.

"Oh, I guess."

"Turn away!" I screamed. "Hurry now! Before your eyes see something they regret!"

All of us covered our eyes as our dad took Ellie in, and gave her the loudest-sounding kiss we had ever heard. We all groaned at the sound of it.

"You children are dramatic! Can't I kiss your mother?"

"No!"

"One day y'all are going to want to kiss your husbands too," Ellie laughed. "One day you'll understand. Now, if y'all will excuse me, I need to get a moment of peace for just a few minutes. Y'all know where to find me if y'all need something."

She gave me one last kiss on the cheek before walking off, her yellow dress shimmering like gold. Everything about her seemed to gleam like gold-from her hair to her skin, which is why I admired her so much. Both inside and out, Eleanor Evans was a gorgeous human being who had such a passionate love for her family. Even as a nine-year-old, I could tell. I knew she had previously stated she wanted a moment of peace, however, something in that moment told me to follow her to her favorite spot in the entire mansion: the balcony.

"Mommy wait," I shouted, chasing after her. "C-can I come with you? I promise I'll be quiet."

She gave me a smile-one that told me that I could follow her as much as I wanted. We went out together and eventually sat down on a couple of wooden rocking chairs facing the setting sun.

"You don't need to be quiet, Ember."

"But you wanted a moment of peace."

"And who's to say I don't feel most at peace when I don't hear your voice, hm? I've been thinking about you the whole time I was away. I've thought about your sisters too, of course, but especially you."

"Is it because I pranked dad again?"

"You did what?"

"Um-"

"Ember."

"I just wanted to see his reaction after putting a lot of salt in his stew."

"And what was his reaction?"

"He spat it out all over the table," I giggled. "It was really funny."

"Oh Ember," Ellie sighed. "That might've been funny to you, but what about our wonderful staff that worked hard on your dinner that night? They probably thought they did something wrong."

"Well I confessed later, so it's okay!"

"Ember."

"Yes?"

"You know what I always tell you, right? All actions have consequences."

"Oh yes, I know. I'm grounded now, don't worry."

"Ember, what you did could've made him sick. Too sick from doing his job. And you know how important his job is."

"...I know. He's always in his office. And you're always away."

"I know," she mumbled, a flash of sadness appearing in her eyes. "Every time I'm gone for a few days I can't help but think about you and your sisters. I love the three of you more than anything else in the world."

"Then...you should quit singing, right? And daddy can quit his job, and then we can all be together."

"I wish things were that simple, honey. I love to sing. And your dad...well, you know he loves his job."

"But what does he even do?"

"He's a businessman."

"What kind of businessman?"

"...He...he's a very wealthy one, I will say that. I don't know everything that he does, Ember, but I do know that everything he does is to help support our family. Just like how everything I do is to support you and your sisters. And singing is my passion. You know, when you're older I'll let you come along with me. I'll let you see all the states. Oh, maybe even more than that. You could go to Europe with me."

"Europe? Like...France?"

"Sure. We could sit in a little French cafe and eat as many pastries as our hearts desire. How does that sound?"

"Like a dream."

I hopped down from my chair and went over to her, she immediately opening up her arms for me to jump into them. It was always something I did with her-jumping into her arms. I loved doing it because she always caught me, even if I caught her by surprise.

"I'll be back here for a while, I promise. I'll spend more time with you and your sisters. Maybe tomorrow we can go do some horseback riding."

"I'm not very good at riding horses."

"That's okay, you'll get better with practice. Sit up for a second."

I sat up, unsure why she suddenly wanted me to. She gave me a slight smile before tracing over my face, running her fingers through my hair as if she were admiring every detail.

"I don't want you to change a single thing about yourself, Ember. Not your freckles. Not your eyes. And most certainly not your red hair. Although, you could stop pranking your father."

"...Okay, I guess."

"You guess?"

"Yeah. Are you sure you don't want me to change? I have a lot of freckles. And I don't like to wear dresses like Lizzy and Emilia. Why am I so different?"

"There's nothing wrong with being different. The right people in your family love you for whole you truly are. You know, it's love that strengthens us and keeps us going. Do you remember where I told you I was raised?"

"In a cabin in the middle of the woods, right?"

"Right, and we didn't have much at all. Younger me dreamt about living someplace like this. But the younger me was also the only blonde in our family, too. Everyone else had brown hair. I was the odd one out. Like you, I felt different. But that didn't stop people from loving me anyway."

I buried my face in her chest, comforting myself with the scent of her soft vanilla-smelling perfume. I missed her plenty when she was away, and every time she left I always felt like a part of myself was missing. But whenever she came back-and she always came back-she would embrace me in the warmest, most comforting way a mother could. A bond I just didn't have with my dad-as close as I was with him. I felt so comforted in her arms that I fell asleep without realizing it. Several hours later, I woke up in my bed, my mind a little groggy. The last thing I remembered was being with my mom, so naturally, I wanted to try and see her once more. I quietly tiptoed through the hallway and away from my bedroom, careful to not wake anyone. I could hear her voice as I approached their bedroom door but...it didn't sound too happy.

"I need you to be honest with me," I heard her sigh. "What do you actually do, Anthony? And so help me if you aren't honest with me I'll-"

"Ellie, I'm not telling you for your own safety, okay? I love you."

"Do you!? Because it's been-what-fourteen years since we first met and you still haven't told me a single thing about what you do. Is it illegal?"

"I-"

"Is it, Anthony? Because I went through your office and I saw all those lists and...I...I really don't know what to think of you anymore."

"So what are you saying?"

"I fear for us. Especially our children. I don't want them to be living in a house linked to crime."

"Since when has anything bad ever happened to them? I have always made sure that they are safe."

"Yes, for now, but what about when they're older? When they become more free? Especially Ember, she has her own little fiery spirit. And I would hate for it to be extinguished by someone shady that you're associated with. So I'm making the call. We're leaving."

"You're not leaving. You don't want to leave."

"Of course I don't want to leave, Anthony, but you leave me with no other choice. This is for the safety of our girls."

"You're being irrational. Seriously. This is the safest place our girls could ever be. If you move them anywhere else then that'll change things."

"I'm sure that I'm wealthier than you, Anthony. If none of my properties are safe enough for the girls, then I can have one built that will be."

"But this has been their only home, Ellie. Do you seriously want to take those memories away? To take our family apart?"

"If it's for the benefit of our girls, yes I do. They will be able to make more memories somewhere new. Somewhere safer."

"Ellie-"

"Anthony, I swear to you right now, if you don't tell me what you actually do for work I'm going to pack up the girls' things and we're all moving out tomorrow."

"Eleanor, you're being ridiculous."

"Oh, am I!?"

"Yes, and you need to calm down! I promise you I will let you know everything but for right now I...I can't. Because of how much I love you and our daughters. How about this, hm? I heard one of your old buddies is back in town...why don't we meet up with him together and catch up? It'll just be us."

"Anthony-"

"I want us to stay together, Ellie. You know that I can't live without you."

"...And I can't live without you, honey. But for us to work you have to be honest with me."

"I promise you I will. Tomorrow. I'll tell you what I can. Not everything, but only a few things. It'll just be us."

"...Alright."

After that conversation, I figured that it would be a good idea to just leave them alone for the night. I didn't want to be in the way of things, and I most certainly didn't want to be in the way of my dad's job-whatever it was. Although I didn't want to go to bed without my mom, I settled on a nearby teddy bear and slept until early morning, when Margaret woke me up.

"Good morning sweetheart," she said, gently stroking my face. "Your mom and dad will be gone for the day, so in the meantime, please be on your best behavior for me."

"Are they already gone?"

"No, but they're downstairs and-"

I flew from my bed imminently, not caring about what else she had to say. Even though my hair was a mess and I hadn't washed my face, my main focus was only getting to see my mom again. I didn't know why. I just had a feeling that I had to see her one more time. So you could imagine her surprise when she saw her barefoot messy-haired daughter run down the main staircase. We looked like polar opposites-my hair was everywhere, while hers was her perfect, curly, golden shade. It went well with the emerald green dress she had on. She always looked the most elegant in any dress she wore, even if it was just one for going out for a day.

"Ember what in the world!?"

I gave her the tightest hug I could, not knowing what else I could do.

"Are we really leaving daddy?"

Her face darkened a little at the question.

"You overheard our conversation? Or did you eavesdrop?"

"I...eavesdropped..."

"What did I tell you about eavesdropping?"

"...That it isn't right, I know. It isn't any good to eavesdrop, and we should all mind our business. But I didn't mean to eavesdrop, I promise."

"Hm."

"Are we really leaving, mommy?"

"...I'm not sure yet, Ember. But until I decide I want you to keep this a secret from your sisters. The last thing I need is all three of you worrying."

She looked through one of the nearby windows, noticing how it was starting to rain.

"Ugh. Florida. I hope the weather doesn't get too bad."

"Where are you going? Can I come with you?"

"No, baby. This is one trip that only me and your daddy will go on together, but I promise you we'll be back by supper."

"I know I bought all those dresses for you," I could hear dad's voice say as he walked up to us. "Yet here you are still in your nightgown and...barefoot. You must've come straight from your bed."

"I did!"

"Ah. Well good morning, little one."

He kissed me on the cheek before making eye contact with Ellie.

"I have some bad news, honey."

"What? Don't tell me it has something to do with your job."

"...I'm sorry. Something came up unexpectedly."

"I should've known. You know what? I need some time for myself anyway."

"Not in this weather. We'll figure out something-"

"It's Florida, Anthony. Chances are that all this rain will go away in the next half-hour. I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

She looked back toward me, her eyes softening up just a little.

"Tell your sisters that I'll be back soon, okay? I'm just going to visit my friend."

"Okay."

She gave my forehead a firm kiss but didn't give my dad any. I knew that had to be a sign that something was wrong. We watched as she stepped into the rain and vanished into the carriage. I never saw her again after that.

"Well," dad coughed, patting on my shoulder a little. "She'll be fine. You, on the other hand, will not be if you don't let Margaret fix you up."

"Sorry, I just wanted to see mommy."

"I understand."

He kneeled down, reaching his arms out in an attempt to ask for a hug. I didn't hesitate to give him one.

"I'll always be here for you, Ember. I hope you know that."

"I do."

He gave me a gentle squeeze before letting go, then suddenly picked me up, acting like he was making me "fly" up the stairs. Margaret was waiting for us at the top, her arms folded.

"Now can I do what I need to do, Ember?"

"Yes! Sorry!"

Dad dropped me down right in front of her.

"Please take good care of my youngest. If you need anything, I'll be in my office."

"Of course, sir."

She grabbed me by my hand and led me back to my room, which was the last place I wanted to go. I boredly looked around for a distraction to prevent myself from having to talk to her.

"Are you listening to me, Ember?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Then what did I just say?"

"Uh-oh look, there's daddy!"

"Ember! Quit making excuses and focus on me when I'm addressing you, young lady!"

"But daddy is outside! I thought he was going to be in his office."

"He's probably just getting some fresh air. And what he chooses to do with his own time is none of your business."

I tuned her out as she kept talking. Honestly, I was more concerned with what my dad was up to. He was standing outside weirdly as if he were waiting on someone. After a few seconds, a man finally came up to him. A lawman. Why was a lawman at our mansion? I couldn't understand. All I noticed was how long they talked for...and the stack of cash my dad had handed the man after a few minutes. He was paying him for something.

"Ember!"

"I-I'm coming, I'm sorry."

"You need to learn how to mind your own business."

"Yes ma'am. But...what does it mean if daddy hands a lawman some cash?"

"...I have no idea. Oh, he's probably worried about your mother. He wants her safe. So he's paying the lawman extra to keep her safe in the city. Yes, that's it. Now sit still so I can do your hair."

I sat down, looking at myself in the mirror as she did my hair. It was changing color.

"Margaret?"

"Yes, dear?"

"Why is my hair...silver?"

"Your hair ain't silver."

"But it is."

"Ember-"

"My hair is-"

I was cut off by the most thunderous boom I had ever heard in my life, which startled me awake. I was in my bed. I was asleep...and everything that had happened was a dream. But it felt real. Everything about every moment felt real. All of it couldn't have been a dream. I clutched my bedsheets close to my chest, feeling too emotional to try and lie back down.

"Ember?"

My bedroom door opened without a single knock. I would've said something about that, however, I was feeling so unsure of myself that I didn't even care. I couldn't see who was walking in until the lightning from outside lit up my room, revealing Tommy's concerned look on his face. He shut the door behind him and began to walk my way.

"Are you okay?"

"I don't know."

"I can tell something's off. It's storming pretty bad outside and I know you have something to do with it. So talk to me."

"I can't..."

"Talk, Ember. You know I'll listen."

He sat down next to me and gave my hand a gentle squeeze.

"You're all worked up. Your hair is silver."

"Because you're right."

"What?"

"I didn't want to say this but I think you're right. My dad is an awful person. I just had a dream-or a flashback, I'm not sure-of the last time I saw my mom. I saw my dad dealing with a lawman right after my mom left for the last time. He..."

"He paid them off. To do the opposite of their job."

"I can't even bear to think about it," I said, tearing up a little. "All she wanted to do was take us away. Somewhere safer. Because she knew that what dad was doing was dangerous, and she wanted us to have no part in it. She threatened to take us away from him and he had her killed in response. I feel so sick."

"Hey. Listen to me. I'm here, alright? So is Betty and Brose. We'll help you get through this. As we had planned before, we'll hit your dad where it hurts and find out more along the way. We'll get back at him. But something tells me there's more to the story about your mom, Ember."

"There's no way she's alive."

"Don't you say that."

"Well it's true, isn't it? She hasn't been back in years, and even if she was alive she would've done something to show that she is."

"She could just be hiding to protect you. I've seen cases where people have done that to protect the ones they love most. Your mother is probably doing the same."

"...Well I hope you're right, then. I need you to be right about this, Tommy."