ining room did nothing to warm the chill in Emma's bones. She sat at the

t gritty and dry, but she didn

cigars and expensive whiskey. His tie was loose, his hair disheve

silk tie from his collar. "Sitting in

ut her tablet. She slid it across the polished wood of the

The black-and-white image of him holdin

cond before flooding with a dark, dangerous rage. He slammed t

issed, leaning over the table, h

oice devoid of any emotion. "You bui

re rigid. She buttoned her bla

quickly swallowed by indignation. "No. She

er tone absolute ice. "This is my bott

mall feet interru

ad

d private school skirt bouncing. She ran straight pas

hifting instantly to the doting fath

, her smile dropping when she saw Emma's

smoothly, glaring at Emma over So

a white sundress, her hair in a messy braid. Her eyes

he whispered, not

an to Ashlea, hugging her waist. "Ashlea,

a physical slap, s

Sophie's face. "No, sweetie. It's n

ared at Emma. "I hate you! You're always trying to kick Ashlea out!

e physical sensation of rejecti

. "Look what you've done, Emma. Your

et. "Ashlea isn't going anywhere. Thi

olding Sophie's hand. They walked to the other end of the mass

their eyes downcast, sile

able. The isolation was a physical th

didn't look back as she walke

er her. From inside, s