g stomped down t

as flushed, and she glared daggers at Josie.

ng finger at Josie. "She's manipulating you! She just wants to

e kept her expression neutral. She didn'

moved in

s pregnant wife and his angry sister. He didn't know if he fully believed her sudden change of heart, but the instinct to protect his wife

Donovan commanded sternly. "Sh

bottom of the stairs,

can you defend her? She threate

the original host's vile actions. She kept her m

" Donovan stated coldly. His v

ppeared at the t

gile. Dark circles bruised the skin under her eyes. She

er voice trembling violentl

is mother. He gave a s

to keep the child,"

an's shoulder, locking onto Josie's stomach. Her

Beatrice tried to ar

her hand, silencing her

was fixed entirely on Josie. It was a look o

rward. She moved out from behi

Eleanor with g

ress I caused yesterd

Her hands shook as she searched J

touched her

d, locking eyes with the older wo

leanor's remaining defenses. A qu

sie met her halfway. She allowed t

grip was painfully tight. She was silently p

er face turning purple with indigna

Her vision swam, and she swayed dangerously on her feet, her face drainin

eady her before she could hit the floor. His heart hammered against his ribs at her sudden frailty. Josie leaned heavily again

maternal instincts kicked into overdriv

fussed, her voice thick with emotion. "I won't let

chen, leaving Beatrice standin

icantly softer than they had been ten minutes ago.

a polite, brief nod. Beatrice scoffed lo