ts" started

in a pasta dish. Everyone in the family knew I was severely allergic to she

just looked at me with dis

pool. She claimed she got a cramp, and that she s

family that paid them,

dramatic tumble down the grand stairca

the night

face contorted with a rage I' d onl

omous. "She is the kindest, most genuine person I

id, my voice steady. "Look a

you're a jealous,

t sent me stumbling backward. I cra

hard of glass sliced deep into my calf. Blo

He just stared down a

rn to behave," he said, his voice cold as ice. "No pho

eaving me on the

edical attention. The staff was instruct

e' s new personal assistant, a smug young

contained

first bite, push

ling said you're being dramatic. He

y. The skin around it turned a dark,

I' d hidden years ago, a relic from my D.C. days. It was tuck

agged myself across the room. My h

hispered, my

helped years ago when her son got into trouble. Richa

What's wrong? Yo

ally welling in my eyes. "He's locked me in. My leg... it's b

y," she said. "I'll leave them by the old se

e clutched in my hand. Survival was now the on