ilence of my mind. He had married this woman, this manipulative, greedy woman, without even

ention was on Brenda, fussing over her, brushing imaginary dust off her clothes, his face a picture of pure devotion. He was treating her

ling him. "I need a caregiver, Olivia," he had said. "Someone to help out." I was the one who found the agency. I was the one who vetted Brenda. She seemed kind at first, a little too eager to please, but I thought

s a hoarse whisper

es, only irritation. "It's not my fault you have a temper,

was making me the villain to absolve h

said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Now that we're al

t to this monster. The thought w

say something, to deny it, to show a sin

did

want to remain my daughter, you will respect my wife and you will forget about that watch." He paused, letting th

our relationship hostage for a piece of metal

ng left to fight for. The father I knew, or the fat

s hard face to B

My voice was d

ok out my phone. Mark watched me, his expression a m

h?" I asked, my eyes

confused

much do you want for it? Name a p

greed. She whispered som

cleared his throat. "Brenda says it's a r

xtortion. It was worth maybe a fifth of that.

hone, added Brenda's name as the recipient, a

y could see. "Fifty thousand dollars. For m

aughter looked back over her shoulder at her

?" she w

ng at Brenda' s phone, watching the notificati

ut a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. Mark just squeeze

ck had worn off, repla

all. It was to my

yments to my father, Henry Vance. The monthly allowance, the studio maintenance fees, e

ung

econd call. It w

proceedings. I gifted my father a studio apartment a few ye

e other end of the line

hing in my life," I said. "He chos