h as brush Rylee's cheek, a crushi

nd collided with Shaw

are you cause a scene at your mother's wake?"

her swollen eyes stained cri

r your mother, and you repay that by raising your hand against her? If peopl

f res

ed like a cruel

d permanently into his heart, while she herself wa

through her chest. "Then tell me-why did you give

through the church, silence des

appeared betwee

excused themselves until only the three of th

g? What heart are you talking

formed in her palms. "Last November at Mercy Hospital. The donor heart that matched m

hawn said nothing. Then

ylee suffered a sudden cardiac episode. She was in immediate danger and requi

"She waited eight entire months for that transplant! The doctors warned us

burst from her i

wallowe

I didn't know. I was aware your mother needed a transplant, but I had no idea her condition had become that serious. I believed she

ring in her eyes. "Melanie, I'm truly sorry. I never knew your mother

tartling speed, her eyes cutting like blades. "Why don't you

understand you're heartbroken, but you can't accuse me of things that aren't tru

licate features made her appea

y, as though conscious

out hesitation, catching

lips pale and parted. "Melanie,

d, she slumped

c sharpened S

s embrace, her complexi

yes colder than winter ice. "Y

own, gathered Rylee into his ar

of him, her tone unnervingly com

ee still cradled against hi

ven't you? I'm giving you the ending you've always wan

re you do this." Shawn's lowered to

ready

don't come crawling back with regrets. You saved my grandfather's life, and marrying

ut of the church, Ryle

black Maybach's engine broke the still

watching from the entrance hurried asi

claimed th

staring after the vehicle u

ithin those few restrained sentences. Nor did anyone know she had ever b

amiliar gentle smile, her composure shattered. "Mom, I'm sorry. I failed

ed to the floor, pressing her forehead agains

ay, someone relea

er mother and still ha

pretending. Who just happens t

ent would choose her side. As for Melanie? She's

your

whispers but let t

ded, she slowly raised her head and br

her neck had slipped free

her mother's final words res

You were never my biological daughter-I chose to raise you as m

odline had never

endant, and the warmth slowly disappeared from h