. The vein in his fore

d roared. "You would de

at the man who had ignored her for twen

to grab the new stack of papers.

bed Howard's arm. "Daddy, don't be mad! Carli

of public humiliation pushed Howard over

arm back. He put al

d against the left s

ed Carli's head to the side. Her cheek burned like fire. Her teeth cut

er mouth in shock. Lilah couldn't hide th

er thumb and wiped a drop of blood from the cor

cry. She di

down at Lilah, who was st

her arm. She slapped Lilah across the f

ow knocked her off her feet. She cr

swelling cheek and burst i

eked, dropping to he

fist again, his fa

spray, his face a blotchy, tear-stained mess. His chest heaved with ragged breaths. He must have driven like a madm

en he saw Lilah cr

d Lilah into his chest. He glared at Carli with pure d

er stepsister. The absurdity of it all

r laughter made

table. She slammed it down on top of the t

staring right at H

of the IRS audit terrified him mo

Carli

hard the nib almost tore through the paper.

der his hand. She checked the signature.

's screaming. She ignored Vaughn's

p the gold-embossed gala invitation from t

he cold wind, leaving