e

frame loomed over her. She stood

," I pressed, my deep vo

disdain. "Must you alway

busy, what do you want

g with sarcasm, "Oh yeah, I tota

at?" I asked, ge

d. "The one your family's

d. "Oh, that guy fr

ve already, I've totally f

ng him a twat? Really, the only one who is

want to mess with m

fear. You think you're a

ty, let Arden out. Using your influence to bully others, especially when

ge anything? I don't have time for this. T

Despite her fury, her beauty remained captivating. I chuc

ll stood there, her eyes fixed on the car

ween her calm demeanor the other night and

onnection to Arden. Is

r

ke my case, and the court-appointed public defender was merely a formality. Jail seemed inevitable. Fr

iar voice, "Isl

w are you holding up?" Her

t's difficult

ed," Isla said. "Are they

mas, where I grew up. I moved here for work. But

your mom," Isla

t'll break her. My m

even more," Isla countered. "Arden,

cided to heed Isla's advi

er," I asked, "ma

atter how many calls you m

lease, I need to speak to my mother

. "Use this one. You can't hav

umber, anxiety grow

" she a

imed, relief w

Why haven't you been answering my calls

om. I haven't

, and now you're too busy for your mother?"

at. Listen... I need

Arden? Are

ath. "Mom, I'm in

, unusual for my nor

pranking me, right?" she asked

orman's son. Pamela Norman, his mother has influence got me arrested, and

hat followed

red, sensing h

ou just say Pamela Norman?

heard me righ

I added, urgency creeping in. "They'

peated, stressing each

r?" I asked, cu

light to New York," she de

cern, but what do you plan

ng time ago," she replied, her cry