r, my phone ran

ice was strained, urgent. "It' s Mom. She'

chool-organized trip to the NASA Space Center in Houston, a small reward Dr. Fuller had arranged for

front door, callin

RPRI

there, along with the household staff, all wearing party ha

anic attack. I

ped, her eyes gleaming with malice. She took a step forward and, w

rupted in howls of laughter. My father clapp

glee. "She looks just like the littl

iated. A cold, hard knot formed in my stomach. I didn'

sharp. He grabbed my arm, his fingers digging into my skin.

ont of everyone. The laughter died dow

, new cotton dress, a gift from Dr. Fuller for my ac

uation. "Where did you get the money for that, Gabi? Did you f

ng in the air, vi

e believed her instantly.

snarled, stepping toward me. "Y

t to rip. In that moment, something snapped. All the years o

cross the face, hard. The sound was

s hand on his cheek, hi

. You' ve gone too far. You' ll stay in the wine cel

cking and struggling, down to the cold, dark cellar. The heav

in my life, I felt free. The last tie th