ivian' s voice cut

r back on its cradle

aid, my voice flat.

ng, maybe surprise, maybe even

k of indifference. Damien adjusted his p

ent for you,"

as playing with blocks on the floor.

he wanted me to go make a sandwich. The sheer abs

now my mind was reeling from the news. But the command was given.

ve swallowed the pain and the grief and gone

o fetch a specific brand of ice cream Vivian was craving. I had collapsed in the snow on my way back, the tub of ice cream shattering beside me. Their driv

why I always complied. Resistanc

echoed in my head. He

inside m

No

sper, but it landed in the silen

er eyes narrowed. Damien sat up, his smirk

Vivian asked, her

small spark of rebell

little stronger this time. "My fath

silence. I had never defied a direct

ivian

rted with rage. She crossed the room in three lo

eek stinging instantly. The sound

face inches from mine. "You d

yanked my head back, forcing me to lo

fury I knew all too well. "You are a pathetic worm t

amused, predatory gleam in his eyes. He enj

h and calculating. "He' s obviously distraught. M

oak coffee table. He picke

cold. He wasn

hand, a cruel smile

t, the word getting lost in the p

ackward, losing my balance. I fell hard agai

as my ribs connected with the unforgiving

he floor, clutching my si

chest heaving, her expre

e the snack. And when you' re done, you will co

he rebellion that had flared so briefly was ext

dying, and I