feet sank into the thick, plush c

e mahogany railing, her knuckles white. She descended the stairs an

r throat felt like i

filled it from the chilled dispenser, and drank it in three large

. Ma

the massive industrial stove. She was stirring a large stain

hythmic tapping of a wooden can

he family, walked into the kitchen

nd and patted Kaya's hand. He

"That is a premium organic fertility blend. I had it flow

thought about Grady's voice in the study. I ha

. She forced it down. She pulled the corners of

said. Her voice was perfectly s

andson." Eleanor waved her h

nto a delicate bone china bowl. She carried it over to the marbl

her right hand

en doors violen

es were slightly red, her lips swollen. She looke

her. His eyes were glued to

he island. She didn't slow down.

d hard into the side o

owl t

splashed directly over Ka

p to her chest in a desperate, defensive gesture, and a few stray drops of the boiling liquid splashed di

d into dozens of sharp pieces. The sound

back, clutching the hem of her de

houlders and pulled her flush against his chest.

ce was tight with panic. "D

a. He didn't look at the b

the floor. "Jasmine! You clumsy

shook with fake sobs. "I didn't mean to! Kaya didn't hol

lenched tight. "Why weren't you paying attention, K

ery blisters were already forming along her kn

g the woman he had just been inside of, yel

erself. She simply took her burning

the eyes. Her face was

ya said. Her voic

ng twisted in his gut. Kaya always cried when he yelled at her.

s left arm, pulling her forward. The old

everely burned! Helen, get t

Eleanor's grip. She offered the

don't make a fuss. I just need t

he stainless-steel sink and turned on the faucet. She thru

. The pain in her hand was nothing compared to