treaks across the floor. Harper lay on her bed, her knees drawn to her ches

dded. She scrambled off the bed barefoot, her h

um

e strangely gentle. Not stif

sweet

. Her voice was cautious.

ly! Can I

ond, then nodded. "Sure."

a visitor. She lowered herself onto the edge of Harper's bed,

look so nerv

y. "Huh? Oh, I'm not! It's just surprising see

ing to b

shrugged and leaned

d. "I'm sorry for e

lightly. Her fingers curl

or

ou. I feel so remorseful about everything I have done to you in the

I know you were just trying to save Philip... but I'm

ce of amusement Harper had seen in weeks.

he is a boy doesn't mean he shouldn't have mann

. "I'm sorry sweetheart. I'm deeply sorry abou

small but forgiving

fruit. I know you

ffered a plate of freshly sliced ap

k you

ake my le

rig

door, she paused and glan

o you won't be late

won

y, "always keep what is important to you with you a

or

eadable-and pulled the door shu

ozen. Her face twisted in confusion,

rying to steal what is important to

rowing clothes aside until she found a small box tucked in t

und her neck quick

when he gets back. He already beat me up several times to collect this from me, and

bled. She san

missing. Why would she leave me

she wiped them away quickly an

tired of being treated badly and left the

the slices. Her brow

tastes weird! O

Her eyes rolled shut. She collapsed onto

d in, careful not to make a sound. She p

leep. Com

d to the bed, gently lifted Harper's

fast a

rry her

ke a ragdoll. Rose kept glancing around ne

t. The car engine purred as Robert op

Robert! Avoid

will be b

t gravel as the car disap

ship loomed in silence under

ea. He stepped out, adjusting his coat. R

are l

oss! You know I ha

ughter. Who are

be careful to a

her

r, and two guards helped h

nd dropped her into a dark, windowless

ch, Ross. I will

g forward to our

gether again. I have no

e might meet again, Rob

es

p rumbled beneath their feet, then

ve!" Ross

ard, Harper lay still in the shadows-unawa

ilt of his actions clinging to him li

was

ropped he

ng a hand to her chest. "That's good

o the chair, sta

worrie

Why are yo

irl anymore. She

needed here. Only Philip is important

at this will b

es Harper hold? Ross will d

doing an illegal business. What

s her to work for the money. She's

ru

, we can move to another city and leave here. No one will ask o

an do

tment. We still have enough to get an apartment and s

have enoug

t your insu

t take it out. That's w

w business, send Philip to a nice school, and get him a car. Whe

's ri

ce and let's do this! Few

make pla

out the

the hospital tomorrow, then

h cash only! The only money that should go into your account is your i

they will

nter your account at once is q

had more than

as thriving, but now you're barely earning $5k per we

That's a bri

, hu