's

knock

nket higher, exchanging morning greetings, trying desperately

e you okay?" she asked, stepping closer. "You haven't com

ust down with a bad headache

girls to bring you breakfast, and Doct

ks, Mo

k about what you want to do now

had named me Ivy when I was dumped at the orphanage as a baby. The only thing left with me was a silver necklace. When I turned eighteen, Mother

later, breakfast and the medicine were sitting on the bedside tab

nd the orphanage-feeding the kids and changing their clothes. I

ty of that night caught up wit

food when a sudden wave of dizziness hit me. M

other Thess asked, her

weak, M

ce, the floor rushed up to meet m

d. Doctor Josh was standing nearby, telling Mother Thess that the lab results would b

, her fingers gently smoothing back my h

oom holding a clipboard. He looked at Mother Thess and

ything ok

ure. She

couldn't fathom what he was hiding. They stepped over to the f

ed on the results, Iv

s shouted, the word echoi

ng at me with a look of p

e demanded, her voice

eamed down my face. "You hardly ever step foot outsi

truth finally tearing its way out of my throat. "Lilian and Danita... th

voice breaking. "I woke up the next

shock to anger. "Who was he? Do you know his na

hispered, my chest tightening. "

into deep, crushing sorrow. She reached out and

lity for that night, darling. You have a little life growing

eeing how heartbroken she looked for

ther," I cried out, holding onto her as

tor Josh gave me pregnancy vitamins and med

me, Mother Thess pulled him aside and told him everything-the spiked juice, the setup at La Pella,

e weren't the onl

I walked slowly toward my room, they stepped out from the hallwa

Lilian said loudly enough for everyone nearby to hear. S

absolute trash, opening your legs for chump change. How desperately did you want to leave the

an shouted, raising her voice so the re

Staring eyes and sharp gasps pierced the air

king me. I kept my chin up, ignored their gossi

my desk, picked up the threatening paper with the no

ence, and my destiny woul

her Campbell sent f

demanded, his voice stern. I don't want any lies, only the truth. Did y

, crying and faking tears t

er Campbell warned them, his eyes narrowing. Or if I find out later,