heavy curtains of the guest room, casti

er stomach was a hollow ache, but the thought of going downstairs, of fa

pet. She wandered down the hallway, away from the smell of

air spilled out, carrying the scent o

door open and

h the panes, turning the air golden. Plants of every size and

y were

littl

ome

ll like

es and humming sap. It was a comforting noise, l

waxy leaves of the rubber plants. She stopped in front of a large orchid sitting

y. You have very clear eyes, the orchid said, its voice

the first one in days. She reached out, her fingertip gen

re you

ice shattere

of the greenhouse, her hands on her hips. She was wearing another

ching down the path. "You're not allowed

zzy whispered,

e stopped right in front of Izzy, her face twisting with

shoved

ow hitting the edge of a terracotta pot. A sharp, biting pain shot up her

was no wind. Its leaves slashed through the air, th

n here?" Evette'

k in the scene-Izzy on the ground, clutching her ar

mbling perfectly. "She was trying to steal my orc

zzy said, her voice

You lying, horrible little beast! How dare y

shadow falling over Izzy.

ached. She bit her lip, hard enough to taste copper,

ad bellowed, his voice bo

hook h

cial worker right now. I'll have you put back in the system. I'll send you

ar of being alone, of being unwanted, of being sent back to the da

he greenhouse

ravel path. Arthur was right behind him, leani

her bleeding elbow, and his jaw muscles jumped. He pulled a c

n said, his voice dangerously quiet. "Beati

lynn is the victim here! You always tak

breaking. "If you care so much, Bryan, why don'

the heavy leaves of the elephant ears flapped like wings. A cacophony of voic

yes were soft as they looked down at her. She looked

de her

heir shocked faces. She walked out of the greenhouse and into the living r

e table itself. She stood there, her smal

t Conrad to

that followed was absolute. Conrad's face turn

o had just walked into the room. Her voice

Bryan to be

e-" Conrad lunged for

e table, blocking Conrad's path. He caught Co

n warned, his voice a l

K. C

way, his chest heaving. He looked at his eldest son with profoun

regret. "If that's what the girl wants, and if you two are so

rapped her arms around his leg, burying her face in his