ate. In the garden, a lone rosebush bloomed stubbornly agains

e curved An

dressed so lightly?

ly spotted his daughter standing by the wind

s heart

stantly

her f

had loved

o his arms, breathing in his familiar

his objections and insisted on marryin

rushed h

so much. I'm sorry.

air. "Didn't we just see each other this morn

no more dangerous behavior. Dad's getti

om now on, I'll listen to you.

th relief. "My Andrea has grown up. You know how

stung, and tears

gently, patting her back. "Go upstairs and p

ld," Andrea

-so warm it almost

erately put o

're still recove

ightly, then pulled away, sticking her ton

with a helpless smile,

, Melinda watched the scene w

miled at her or Sandra-but with An

uly cared abou

ndrea greeted sweetly as

y. "Go change and co

a replied, he

slowly faded. A chill crept into her eyes, replaci

g food to Andrea's plate unti

f you keep feeding me like this, I

at you-you've lost weight. Here, have some soup. I

her bowl with

es lit up a

said lightly. "Don't forget Sandra a

u?" he teased, though he still poure

s," Sandra said softly a

ness surged th

d, she would never compare

.

so the day Andrea and Steven h

beautifully, and calmly took in

ick her up. Dressed in a black overc

d him, her expressio

morn

ed, his gaze so gentle i

ped on a white cape-like coat, looking like a porce

to come? He's not a stranger. It'd

Steven, eyes curved in a

er hair. But as his gaze swept over the Reed

ndrea's right. Sandra,

s eyes

lled m

n she saw Andrea secretly blink at her, looking

y have plans with a friend. Y

ea said lightly, wavin

nodded

bed a vase and smashed it onto the floor. Porcelain shatt

ndure this?!" she scream

that bitch Andrea?! I'm not willing-I'm not!

nger hard against he

him? You're going to marry into a wealthy fa

that!" Sandra

capable and ambitious! He'll s

" Melinda

s, the best he'll ever be is a middle manager. He alre

her patience

rrying into a wealthy family will be easy. Why cli

Frederick Brown-he's interested in you,

*