"So I have a question," Alex said after a long stretch of silence. "Why did you kill yourself?"
They were walking side by side, heading toward where Adam had gone.
Kahdijah slowed, then stopped completely.
"Kill myself?" she repeated. "Why would I do that?"
She looked genuinely confused.
"I endured for years," she continued. "I counted the days. I told myself I just had to last a little longer and I'd be free of her. Why would I give her the satisfaction of seeing me break?"
Alex frowned. "Then why did your stepfather say you committed suicide?"
She stared at him, then shook her head slowly. "If it was him, that would have been easier. At least that would make sense."
Alex's chest tightened. "Then… don't tell me."
She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "He wasn't the one who pulled the trigger."
Alex stopped walking.
"…Your mother."
Kahdijah nodded once.
Silence stretched between them.
