ver the rim. She didn't care. She dropped to her knees beside the bed and grabbed G

habitually gripped an unlit wooden pipe. His knuckles were white. H

dried blood and dirt from Gisele's forehead. With every stroke, she let out a broken, chok

mother's hands. The absolute, unconditional love radiating from Mari

ers. "Mom, don't cry," Gisele said. Her throat was still

at Gisele. Usually, the slightest scrape would have Gise

. He took a step forward. His b

thick with reluctant compromise. "

oaned. "I'll go talk to Chauncey Beck tomorrow. I'll ask him

trying to please that city boy. He was willing to swallow his pride

emperature in Gisele's eyes plummeted. Pure,

ced herself to sit up, ignoring the sharp throb i

N

cut through the

ting silence. The only sound was the

hit the hardwood floor with a sharp clack. Maria's eyes went wide. Sh

s terrifyingly calm. "Dad, do not go to

ainst Gisele's forehead, her voice trembling with panic. "Sweetheart, did yo

s hand away. She held it firmly. "I'm not confu

tween her shocked parents. I

brutal. "He only cares about the food we send him. He only

d onto his daughter's face. He was searching for the lie. He was searching f

cold, mature clarity that sent a

break their perception of her. She pointed to the glass

glass of cold

ne request. But he moved mechanically, pouring th

the freezing water in three massive gulps. The ice-cold liquid burned down he

own on the wooden nightstand.

clared, wiping a drop of water from he

rs spilled over her cheeks, but this time, her sho

three years. The rigid tension in his back vanished. The co

hand on top of Gisele's head, ruffling her hair with

his palm. A real, genuine

moment was shat

, there was a sudden scuffle of feet, followed by the lou