lding, freezing Kailey in place

ould do was watch in silence as he gently picked O

he realized it, and Kailey could only snif

sound of the front door swin

toward the dining room. The cheerful tune stopped short when she

composure. Kailey's words came out shaky.

e property manager for a car and quickl

sults brought a small sense of reli

gularly." The doctor glanced at Kailey, taking note of her youthful face. "There

ietly and followed th

man turned to her. "Would you l

no need f

ing over Olivia, and there was little chan

ng the pain had eased a bit. Handing the ointment to the cleaning l

etched on her face. "Are

othing serious-no bones

nally agreed to leave. Alone in the back seat of

s feeling shielded from harm. Yet now, when she truly need

nships eventually drift apart; hers with R

rk, Kailey informed her mentor of h

rom here. I thought you couldn't bear to leave your uncle and plann

he replied, "We aren't related by blood, and I can't keep relying on him forever. I'm turning

, teachers and students alike. Even now that you're nearly grown, he still shows up to drive you home, as if he's guarding you from every possible danger. But you're ri

ngered for a few minutes to chat

ted long, but her mentor's

d even bought a place near cam

are felt like

ed to cherish and build a future with. Kailey understood that, de

est way she could show her gr

be too occupied with Olivia

e caught sight of him on the

ade him glance over. "B

ee him. The cleaning lady m

ietly in the cabinet. After a short pause,

n's brow tighten, irritation f

old her for hurting Olivia again, so

ch a hurry earlier. The cleaning lady told me you t

hen slowly loosened. She stared at the floor an

ioning that Kailey had been in tears-something that hardly ever happe

aside, and moved toward her.

t, Kailey instinct

e gesture unfinished. Surprise fli

I was only thinking about Olivia at that moment, and

hest. All his worry had been for

lied in an even voice, "It was just a bruise. Nothing co

rtain you'

m f

eciding she meant it. Knowing her temperament, he figu

up, his voice softening instantly. "Olivia? What happened? Are you hurt?"

back at Kailey. "If anything comes up, let me know.

as he hurried out, started his car

ound her, her waist be

her bag. The screen lit up with Kyson

nged with vulnerabilit