give up my room; I ca

hings in," I said, my voice eeril

away in minutes. Adeline's things flowed in to replace them. Pink blanket

m piece, a family tree with the names Axel, Adeline, and a spa

to a small, dark room at the end of the hall. I didn't bother unpacking. I

, there was a soft knock o

oice sweet as poison. She held out a sma

etty and innocent, and I fe

g here because my parents and my husband

e that, Calista. I've truly learned my lesson. I just

hand, her grip surprisingly s

ustion. Arguing was po

a bed of silk, was an old, fad

go, the one my parents had paid off to disappear. The m

, his foul breath, rushed bac

ably. With a choked cry, I

arp, theatrical cry of pain and stumbled back

and my mother rus

in an instant. "Addy, wha

at me. "I just wanted to give her a gift... to say

"That's not what happened," I gasped. "

ce. "Calista, what are you talk

with desperation. I pointed at the p

He frowned, turning it over in his hands. The

t out for

picture of a kind-faced, middle

ing. It was impossible. I saw it. I knew what I sa

cal father," she whispered pitifully. "I must have put the wrong pi

hurt, so genui

oftened with

d, her voice gaining strength. "Maybe... maybe you were jus

It was her fa

king my head. "I

gone. He helped Adeline to her

ntle. "Don't give her any more gif

arents' eyes. It was pure, undilu