eli

from me. However, just as I opened my mo

"Please don't misunderstand what's going on here. You weren't around, and Zora really want

hand. I immediately tried pulling back, but her gr

to take your place or anything, after all, Adrian

r nails dug shar

as if I had been burned. Right on cue, Elizabet

d forward at once, abandon

ming over her with concern while sh

me. "Lina, are you okay?" She as

fixed on the scen

ctim, the corners of her eyes redden

idn't realize seeing me like this would cause

oward me the next secon

nded. "What is there to misunderstand about a simple out

s, Zora fr

She pouted. "I was the one who asked Aunt Beth

beth, the pain in my hand felt insignificant c

d, her expression a mixtu

ou

ard when I reached out and gra

int in trying t

Lyla, constantly spoiling her and stepping in whenever I attempted to

I had l

d I receive

ntment and unfil

ir

iving Mikaela a brief once-over on

later, clearly un

t Beth?" Zora asked with a frown and I noticed Ad

f them were only t

, that woul

strange, steady calm as I

ke Elizabeth ve

so cheerful that, for a fleeting momen

one likes her. Of course Zora li

gh there was n

I paused slightly. "Do y

my lips with a tra

ond, Zora's

tation. "Aunt Beth is way cooler than

ep and my fingers t

to myself as the corners o

ight, I had held o

even if he had never truly been min

be fixed. Something co

ing her answer, eve

child I carried fo

aela scoffed u

uriated. I however, remained calm-stra

etly. "Then. have f

to Mikaela, ignorin

on,

rritated, but she didn't resist as

Zora-and then at Adrian-

leave them like that?" Mikaela a

ything I needed, but

s down and paying for them, ignori

ave done exactly what she e

t

ikaela following behind me with a troubled expressi

e, I paused and glanc

standing together, smiling and laughing like a perfect family, w

ver freezing over and in th

o give up cus

eth so much, she could

for an ungrateful child who sa