oe

th forced merriment. Jasper decreed a club BB

t at a secluded picnic table, nursing a bottle of water, an isl

ants to be. She's taken over my duties, and she's reveling in it, bossing around a coup

g smile on his face. He thinks she's thriving

awyer. 'Initial asset reclamation notices sent. Phase one is

g the crowd. I feel detached, like I'm watc

b kids, hyped up on sugar and excitement. He's chasing another b

st, not looking where he's going, heading straight for th

call out, but my voic

arms pinwheeling. He slams directly into the flimsy folding t

ut thinking, I lunge forward, my hands outstretched

hot metal, but it's t

g hot chili casca

and forearm. The pain is immediate and blinding. It feels like my skin is melting

t. All eyes turn

shock than injury, as he's only

f concern. But he goes to Cody first,

cooping her son into her arms

r a crucial moment. The sting of the burn is

matriarch, pushes through the crowd. Her face is a thundercloud

a protective hand on Cody's head. "He's

uss. The injustice of it is a fresh wave of pain. I've poured my life and my family's for

ce," I say, my voice trembling

of my injury. He stands up, his eyes wide as h

eir hypocritical sympathy. I turn my back on all of them and