Breaking Glass

(23) A New Beginning

Chapter Twenty-Three

Remember guys, the Watty Awards is ending in fifteen days. There are about four chapters left, so make sure you vote please! I was told by Wattpad I am a potential finalist. You guys are the absolute best a girl could ask for. I love you guys. And I’m tearing up saying this, but I really, really love you guys. <3

Enjoy!

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                “Why did I have to do this again?”

                Alice looked up at me thorough her lashes and shook her head. “You have to. We need all the help we can get. If you don’t want to help, find your own place to stay.”

                I threw my broom down to the ground and glared at her. “Why do you hate me?”

                She looked up at me, saw the expression I had, and went back to cleaning, a smile on her face. “Why, I don’t hate you? Why ever would you think that?”

                “Because you do,” I said, picking up my broom again, purposely hitting it with Alice’s own cleaning instrument.

                “You annoy me,” she said simply, hitting me back. “But I do not hate you. You’re my family. I wouldn’t hate you.”

                “Seems like someone has been reading too much Great Expectations…”

                Alice dropped her mouth. “It’s a bloody amazing book and you know it.”

                “I don’t, because I have better things to do that read,” I said, sticking my tongue out.

                “You mean like stare at yourself in the mirror until you finally get a wrinkle?” Alice asked smugly.

                I grinned at her. “Exactly.”

                She scowled at me, upset that I would take such an insult so lightly. I kept smiling and cleaning. I was not going to let her ruin my day.

                Julie peeked her head in, and I waved at her. “Yes, Julie?”

                “Someone is here to see you, Miss Rose,” she told me, peering up at me through her bonnet.

                I patted her on the head. “Thank you sweetie.” I looked to Alice, giving her my broom. “I’ll be back soon. Try not to clean too much while I’m gone.”

                Alice rolled her eyes. “I’ll try not to.”

                Julie and I walked through the pastures, back to the house where Lydia was frantically washing her hands and her face, combing back her hair and trying to look presentable.

                “Who is it?” I asked, curious of why she’d be acting in such a way.

                “Just go in there,” she whispered to me, pointing to the study. “Stay in here, Julianna,” she told Julie after she attempted to follow me.

                I crouched down, looking at her straight in the eye. “I’ll be back soon, okay?”

                She nodded, looking down. I was about to get up when she asked, “When is your baby coming out?” She stole a look to my stomach; it had gotten increasingly larger throughout my month’s time here.