od paralyzed in the hallway, Amelia's w

She spun around and ran back into the living room,

said... she said she got married, but

ofa, her eyes wide with di

r eyes before she expertly replaced it with a mask of concern. "How could that

ails digging into the older woman

tears welling

sound full of mockery and malice. "Married? Her? Who would

for her absent daughter. "Look at your sister. So clever.

her. "Mom, don't say that. She

's hair. "You're right, my sweet Kamila. You're so much more

eatment of the two girls sen

Ma'am, I have to go after her! Maybe she didn't

t Kristen's voice crack

to see how many days she can survive out there withou

" Faye

ard, we will not speak her name in this house. If s

sten's eyes terrifie

he building into the biting nigh

ed by the curb, a silent, powerf

her small suitcase. The back

t the seat, his eyes closed. He

small suitcase, and he rais

he suitcase in the trun

t to the icy chill of the confrontation with her mother.

ed inside. He simply gave the driv

ed the familiar streets of her old life recede

e fought back the tears, refusing to show any weakness in front

w the subtle clenching of her jaw,

ffer words

ached forward and