. She pulled out a paper check. She s

on the line was f

my son," Mrs. Rose said. "Take the money.

on the check. A cold, hard

r hand out of her purse. She placed the da

snapped open. The pink diamond ca

nk. Her breath hitched.

," Dahlia said. Her voice was i

ffed. She cro

red. "You think playing hard to

the screen. She tapped Kirt's name and hit the speak

g twice. Kir

y?" Kirt's voice filled th

mouth to yell, but Dahlia shot her a glare

crophone. Her tone was complete

ence fell o

e cracked. "Why? Le

am tired of this. I don't l

begging. Hi

She slammed her finger onto t

s. She blocked his number. She did it

. She looked do

with the Rose family a

eels hit the wooden floo

aring at the diamond rin

Maeve stood in the hall. The houseke

did not open her umbrella. She steppe

ater ran down her face. She couldn't tell if her

ed shut behind her. The so

ed the smell of wet dirt. Her lungs

the door open and slid onto the vinyl

She leaned her head back agains

n her wet pocket.

indi: "Are you home?