na

w. My home. Being bulldozed. My father's memory, d

Clayton' s calls, Kiarra' s mocking texts.

were familiar, winding and narrow. Each curve brought me clo

eathered house, the one my father had built with his own hands, stood defiant amidst the swirling dus

id, arms outstretched. A protest. A primal scream that no one heard. She couldn't hear the

or and grief. She looked so

ng at her. He didn' t understand her silent pleas, her franti

woman!" he bellowed. "Thi

ough me. My mother. My quiet, g

ngs burned.

e!" I screamed,

ay from my mother. He

you?" he snarled

, though my heart was pounding like a drum. "

rs. Chase, your husband sold thi

ilent tears streaming down her face. Her hands flu

r had grabbed me. He was stronger than me. He pulle

et out!"

eeing my distress, let out a choked cry. She launc

ting her head on a stray piece of timb

amed, a raw,

ng to my mother's side. Her forehead w

radled her head. "Mo

tunned. Then he just grunted. "

ew louder. It was turning, h

y mother.

ayton. And Kiarra. Of course. They had com

. "What is all this commotion?" he demanded, see

y manicured, utterly out of place in the dust and devastation. "Oh, look, Cl

id this," I whispered, my voice tremb

It's just a house. We'll build her a

tearing from my throat. "It's my father's leg

esore. A blight on the landscape. This is

rra wanted this spot. It's a prime location for the resort. We'll

e a broken toy.

aned, stirri

cold. He gestured to the construction workers.

from my mother. I fought, but they were to

our front porch. The porch swing, still there.

eafening crash, it tore into the w

Gone. In

ed sound. Her eyes close

hing against my captors

danger. I watched, helpless, as the house crumbled.

too. Kiarra, a triumphant smirk on her

tes, it was over. Just

e, holding her hand, the raw anger a burning coal in my chest. Clay

ed out. I hadn't even had time to f

expressive, were filled with a deep, sil

ng my cheek. She signed, slowly, p

is, Mom. I brought

ver loved you. Not trul

t they were true. I knew it. I

h. "I never loved him either. Not really. I just...

and. You deserve

me. She was right. I had to go

ould be fine. A concussion, some bruisi

had a new home. A safe

cold and sharp. Kiarra. Clayto

in motion. The papers w

One last time. I had a feeling Kiarra wasn't done w

ld give i