ing lightly over the chipped paint of the banister. The air

the bottom step. He wore a thick cashmere cardigan

ily baritone. He stepped into her path, blocking her way

fetime spent faking empathy. She didn't say a word. She simply sidestepped him,

he stairs, her breath comi

r at Elvera's back. "She insulted Donita! She insu

He sighed, a heavy, theatric

rned father to disappointed patriarch. "We gave you

ipper teeth caught for a second before ripping open. She grabbed two

the living room, he

etching her lips. "Let her go back to her real family. I heard they're nothing but un

inst his teeth. "It's a shame. You leave this house,

right shoulder. The heavy canvas hit her back with a solid thud. S

her voice chillingly calm. "And more time worrying about the broken

, ashen gray. His lips parted, but no sound came out. The factory's impending bankrupt

e business reference. She

hrieked. She lunged forward, her hands r

ply pivoted on her heel, shi

sting on the Persian rug. She stumbled, her arms flailing wildly before she caugh

rockett and Donita hurried down, t

is chance to play the hero. He sprinted across the living room and plan

ng out. He pointed a finger at Elvera. "You're a liar,

t shred of human warmth vanished from her ey

Crockett's bravado faltered. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed h

nita sudde

g to her mouth. Her eyes darted around the

mbling. "The diamond necklace Crockett gave me

pair of eyes snapped to the bulging, faded

up with a feveris

racking with triumphant malice. "The little

e contorting into a mask of profound, disgusted disappoi

He lifted his chin, a nasty, victor

rockett declared, crossing his arm

t Crockett. She slowly turned her

panic melted away, replaced by a raw, naked guilt. Donita shran

ep, vibrating chuckle rumbled in her chest. The abs

ed her rig

slid down her arm

k Persian rug with a

, their pupils dilating with the

ng, elegant line of her neck. She looke

ripping with absolute, freezing conte