made the

slightly when he s

d, a smug, triumpha

t stared, her expression

Mark asked, his voice attempting a

m I doi

was a l

rk? And what did you mean,

ectly manicured hand

ow he ensured my peace of m

cried, stepping forward

, Mark? Wher

ossing his face before he smoothed it

It's just a dog. He bit Jess

e! You're lying!" I ins

re i

sharp and cold, "Daddy sent him away because h

wn daughter, hit me

, that's n

stands. It's done, Sarah. I'll get you

, the one he used to clos

n, my shadow, the one creature who gave me uncond

ed, the enormity of his

g, to be killed, because she wa

Jessica, her eyes g

nyway," she said, her vo

daughter, twi

og than me! I wish Jessica was my mom! She's way cool

ath hi

ion bl

ng of glasses, the low hum of conversati

rld tilting

nom from Jessica, and the shocking b

s earlier sentiment, my vo

, mean so little you can just..

ou really going to throw away our fa

was

inal

seemed to affect his own comforts, the growing distance between us –

laughed, a har

anymore, Mark. Not after