She was trying to play their mother’s song.
The one Rebecca used to play most often.
Emily’s face tightened.
She tried again.
Then again.
Finally, she put the guitar down too hard against the edge of the coffee table.
The body struck wood.
Emily froze.
She lifted it.
The guitar seemed intact.
Then something changed in her expression.
Anger.
She gripped the neck.
Her mouth moved.
She appeared to be crying.
Then, suddenly, she swung the guitar downward.
Once.
The neck hit the table.
The headstock cracked.
Emily immediately let go.
The guitar fell to the floor.
One string snapped.
She jumped backward.
Then she crouched beside it, horrified.
The video ended shortly afterward.
Noah could not speak.
Daniel closed the laptop.
“She broke it.”
“Yes.”
“She lied.”
“Yes.”
Noah stood.
“I knew it.”
Daniel grabbed his arm.
“No.”
“What?”
“You are not going upstairs like this.”
“She looked me in the face for three days.”
“I know.”
“She made me think I was crazy.”
“I know.”
“Dad, let go.”
“Noah.”
His father’s grip tightened.
“This is exactly why I waited until you were home and exactly why I’m talking to you first.”
“She destroyed Mom’s guitar.”
“Yes.”
“Why are you so calm?”
Daniel’s face changed.
“I am not calm.”
For the first time, Noah noticed his father’s red eyes.
“I watched that video alone in my office at work. Then I watched it again. Then I sat in my truck for forty minutes because I didn’t trust myself to come home.”
Noah stopped struggling.
Daniel released his arm.
“She is going to answer for what she did. But she is still your sister.”
“She didn’t care about that.”
“You don’t know what she cared about.”
“She smashed it.”
“Yes.”
“That’s all I need to know.”
“No.”
Daniel shook his head.
“That’s what anger wants you to believe.”
Noah said nothing.
Daniel called toward the stairs.
“Emily.”
No answer.
“Come down.”
A minute later, Emily appeared.
She saw the open laptop.
Her face went pale.
Daniel pointed to the chair beside Noah.
“Sit.”
She remained standing.
“Dad—”
“Sit down.”
She obeyed.
Daniel looked at her.
“I found the recording.”
Emily began crying immediately.
Not loudly.
She simply folded into herself.
Noah stared at her.
“You liar.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You said you didn’t touch it.”
“I know.”
“You swore.”
“I know.”
“You told Dad I was accusing you because I needed someone to blame.”
“I know.”