d on buses and the subway, he spoke up imm

ours is too heavy for he

Mine's brand new. I've only rid

hey all agree

he was out of sight, she stopped by the curb, checked the a

about to continu

as H

on supplements you bought today," he said. "Do yo

That money was for Mom and D

her parents had traveled across the country looking for her and Piper-

verything she had manage

wouldn't accep

ed, they'

ou just graduated. And you're

climbing back onto the bike. "P

her safety, he

complex in the city. It was far humbler than the Hart family villa,

right floor,

had a dig

o had given h

r option, sh

rwork. Seeing an unfamiliar number, he almo

ry to bother you. The key you gave me do

urned to Javi. "Why does that

d. "I'll chec

e access code and passed it

ter a brief pause, she asked car

ome made T

residence," he replied. "I wo

miled withou

bbled up

line called the joy of a h

o hun

rtment was collateral from another subsidiary.

turning back to his work. A lock

lla entered

ing room. Clean. Mini

didn't stay

oom, unpacked quickly, and stored the fo

ned her phone and saw the fa

us know when you're inside

rived safely. Don't wor

d encouragement, as if she'd jus

ced several m

aniel had each sent $7,50

sand dollar

at the scr

on, she sent eve

er, message

ther's money. You must

ded. "Buy what

don't see us as your brothers?" t

nally g

ow much this must have cost them-her ch

ext M

ode to

cal media outlet. Officially a reporter. In reality,

ad contacts. Inter

rt or shared bikes, but today, the e

stories, but she stopped b

he saw her. "Ella! Back

he said, unloading a b

to keep at home, so sh

e director ask

m," Ella sa

l family found you

er. Even after leaving, she sti

n and small fish," she sa

laughed and a

Ellen?" E

ping the k

find

Now married with a toddler, she worked par

Ella

de. "How are your parents

lla said. "They even

o you've left the villa fo

"Yeah. I even

en's expression shifted to con

lla said lightly. "That's better than my adoptive