villa, a sharp, shrill cry c

the sound, my steps quickening

ervants was beating my dog, a

orward and throwing myself be

rms. I held him tight, my body shaking with rage.

fur, feeling the welts alre

him to

he walked over, Evertt at her side. She c

almost fell. What if some

ding on me. "Sunny can't be aroun

went thr

anyone," I argued

ld hurt her. He could hurt the baby." He gave

e pleading. "No, please. I' ll se

ething unreadable in his eyes. But it was gone as quickly

N

slipping out in my desperation a

ined perfectly still, his

my arms. Another servant held

re. The thud of the stick, Sunny's terr

a raw, guttural sob

ee' s shoulders and led her away

heard him say softly to her. "Y

ow I made it b

that was once our sanctuary. Photos of Evertt and me. His favo

these things. Now, they we

to of us, tracing the ou

d, my voice breaking. "You have her n

ut the overwhelming urge to die was gone. It had bee

call button

d appeared

longed to Mr. Martin," I said, my voice

looked

I asked, my tone leavi

ead quickly and

my door. He pushed it open

doing?" he demanded, his

e, looking fr

all, chilling smil

ssion to touch his

ly. "You're always tellin

gnant, I've decided to start fresh. Getting rid of

earching my face for something. There

go?" he asked, his voic