06: TH

A'S

he smooth white marble floor of the foyer for a few second

laughter again.

m down the hall. Lora's annoying, high-p

, happy and b

s voice floated down the hallway as I walked in their direc

y father replied. I could hear the thick pride in his

a goo

t hit the back

d man

ho left one sis

tacular sens

ace wondering if the distance ha

... krr... krr sound against the floor. I kn

oo

hem he

ere and beat the hell out of L

l the engine exploded. I wanted to call Daisy and scream until I lost my

't. If I left rig

she had achieved

corner into t

head of the table,

beside him, smiling softl

them sat the new

's, the massive crimson ring on her finge

out in her fake voice. "Darli

ice cut through the roo

elf." His eyes swept over me in disg

ice shaking with fury. "Is that really

Lora. "You should ask your precious da

ng, looking very pitiful as if she were the one

she said softly. "I never left Jamie's side

ediately. His eyes were

ace anger... or something else i

id finally, h

ack in satisfaction. She

ice light, almost playful. "You missed eve

at doesn't even belong to you. Wh

ac

snapped to

ma

ed harder. A sharp cr

rd one but strong hands locked

k me who? Wasn't

ra

ound first be

my vision blurring as hea

ed visibly shocked. Even L

d just slappe

slammed his hand down so hard that some of the dishes on the table shat

ster just got engaged, and, look at you looking so.

sy and your disheveled appearance! Go upstairs, take th

ace. I still couldn't belie

ice came out quieter than I expected. "You

t you ask your good daughter wha

voice gentle as if I were a n

ght now. But this time you don't have to be s

must have had a very long day. Look at you, stressing

g me in place were Jamie's. I shrugged his touc

n't have time for her psyc

I wanted to do,

yesterday was?" I demanded

o me? Would my mother have been alive and

." Jamie

say my

ugh the room. "You don

ther, something inside

bitter laugh escaping. "How long has it been? How long have they be

wer of

Over and over again. You even gave away my university slot. The one MY MOTHER secure

hday," I said. "And you

ltered. "I thought at least

on changed but it har

ced at

ght your S

olina started,

finish. The words poure

with her daughter, who happened to be your child too, whi

or me to marry your first daughter instead? It makes me

at all. At least I would know I wouldn't get anyt

nou

er stood

hate it so much, leave. As of