xand

xander's answer, it still cut deeply, like a

ne get to live, only t

istence to loving this man, investi

eturn was merely his staunc

in the room as she frantically reached for her

e subtle way Joyce squeezed Katrina's ha

in a fleeting,

ed, her reso

is a matter for our family. Calling the police could lead to my sister's arrest and tarnish

elicate pose belying the cunning glimmer in her

n and caused Alexander's bro

h chilling authority. "We can't just let this g

acked rib, Daniela stood her ground, her spin

allized in her mind: her anguish was merely a

thing wrong! I am innocent, and

en closed the distance between them and

rously, her form shaking like a leaf in a tempest. Before she c

hud," she collapse

or reverberated around the room, sending a jolt of excr

. Blood started to ooze through the bandages wrappe

could no longer stand to

u're Daniela's husband, aren't you? Once you're married, you're supposed to protect each other. How can you treat her

ze was icy, seeing her as nothing more than a mere fleck of dust on his shoe. "Daniela, today's incident cannot simply be ignored. Joyce ma

r. Harper, you surely see th

d, "Absolutely, she needs to r

ily members, and the room quickly emptied

Daniela, who was still kneeling, her hands quivering as she

child? Look at yourself, kneeling before me. I like Alexa

hand into her pocket and pressed

with sweat, each drop trailing do

a steady, clear voice, "So, it was you