ierce support. Armed with the initial batch of evidence, Audrey was

traight to the small, sun-drenched room at the back of the house. The meditation room. Her mother had designed it, a sanct

ying to find her breath, when

d over the screen befo

mediately. She d

r, A text mes

uarantee there won't be... complications with the fun

ative neurological disease. She was in a private, long-term care facility, receiving an experime

thless than

other was the only blood rel

. Jolie answered on the first ring, her

ed you

Kaelynn said, her voice a low,

ut Dane might. He's very, very angry, Mrs. Underwood. You l

pointless. Jolie wouldn't believe her, and

m," Kaelynn demanded, gripping the ph

talk to you. After you've shown you're sorry. You need to do

you want

floor of that pretty little meditation room. In front of of that statue

defile this space, her mother's spac

nt anchor in a sea of rage and helplessness. But the threat was

herself to the cold marble floor. The humiliation wa

olie let out a soft, satisfied

ne wen

sh wave of shame. She knelt there, her body aching, he

scent of the sun-drenched room was subtle, just like Da

t when she was more determin

her: "Jolie, Mrs. Underwood can't kneel like that! Her kne

Dane offered only lukewarm comfort. He continued t

ghts, she knelt here and prayed to God to give

There's no way to cure this pain permanent

w these things,

went unheeded: "I'll call

her knees, she gritted her teeth a

e things before, for fea

's no longe

uldn't feel sad

t listen and insis

wasn't Dane who a

ered, hesitant and sweet. "Hello

nn's mind went completely blank. It

tle girl chirped, her voice filled wi

l disco

marble floor. He wasn't in a meeting. He was with them. With his daughter. While she was on

absolute, it felt like her

gain. This time, the scre

ling hand, s

e's voice was cold, clipped, and utt

couldn

"And no assistant has the right to interfere in my private affairs.In

d fired her for overstepping her bounds. For daring to touch what he consider

feet and started toward the study, each step fe