sses. His eyes, a startling shade of gray, were fixe

nized him instantly. Her voice was a cho

old New York money and untouchable power. The Montg

he threshold, his expensive shoes crunching on the shards of t

asked Kelsey, his

p back, her guard inst

and falling under his tailored suit. "My

. The Hills stared, their faces a comical blend of shoc

by a greasy, sycophantic smile. "Mr. Montgomery! What a surprise! We were just..

's lawyers will be in contact with you regarding your 'family matters'.

but her face remained a s

a DNA report, a legal document binding her blood to that of the Montgomery patriarch. Her blood. The same blood the

let out a venomous hiss. "S

lacing a large hand over her mouth and hauling her unceremoniously to her feet. Ilda tried

n backpack from Kelsey's

of freedom for the first time. She walked o

ked at the curb, was a battered, rust-colored Ford pickup truck. The kind of t

t this. The family... well, we're a little more down-to-earth

e in their eyes. She wasn't being rescued by a powerful dynasty

ile. "I've had enough of fancy houses and fanc

without a moment's hesitation, her

eyes, before getting in and starting the engine.

e window, letting the cold New York air whip through her

s eyes on the road. "

past. "First, I survive. Then, I take b

he steering wheel. He would

her pocket. A text f

with your

not changing. The truck rumbled on, heading away from the manicured lawns

thought, had secrets of its own