a P

aring fire. I took Derrick's heavy coat from my sho

y voice clear. "I'm home now." The

ine. He didn't speak, but the look in them made

ed forward, her face a mask of tear-streaked e

I snatched it away as if

emembered how it had hung limp at he

ng a space between us that

ur mother," she sobbed, h

ched my lips. "You must

n the frozen air

urning purple. "Have you gone mad? Is

ce him. I spoke each word wit

is Kara

birth mother's name. It's the name I

hiding behind Aden. "As for Miss Powers

n struck by lightning. She

hest, swaying on he

irl he remembered was gone, replaced by this shar

an observer at a play, his eyes fil

ect pearls, rolled down her cheeks. "Sister... I know you hate me

with cold detachment. Te

ght back to me. "You heartless monster! Corie has been sick w

r to argue. "I'm ti

was more infuriati

maid. "Quickly, take... take Miss Hopkins to

dy, that room... it was given to Miss

umiliation. Aden looked away, a flicker

xpected. In this house,

nce the house is unprepared, perhaps Miss Hopkins

slap to the face

den snapped. "We can handle

ed the maid, her voice strained. She turned to me, her eyes pl