came with

was colder than wh

hy woul

wned by my

h shame on my shoulder

rld anymore. Well, not un

ght I had been family wit

elcome me with open arms instead s

ke I carried a dise

forget, she said to me with disgu

t." I had said wit

anguage." She rose to her feet and

the pack," She said, gripping my arms. "You will work for your ke

babies w

Skylar?" she whispe

, my hand instinctivel

to cup my cheek. "I'll take

es and I nodded qu

followed were

till my knuckles bled, learned how to fake a smile while s

ght I'd never see

most took my life but when I remembered I wa

him or shoul

miracles. Three sons -

s, it felt like the whole world

l had his raven-black hair and silver e

e their father. They were mine

cold winters wit

unger on an e

emories of joy an

cruelty but as they all s

ns cleaned the bedrooms upstairs, we

scrubbing the floor. He was the m

fell

cry echoed through th

" Adrian rose

ushed downstairs and w

the floor, holding his cheek with Aunt

" I sc

h, you're here! Tell this stupid son

rs filled his eyes and bl

to him! He's just a chi

d. "Why wouldn't I?

ging? Are you crazy!" I stepped between them, al

"Children don't sing w

side me snap

singing or talking or even eating! Do you understand!" Au

he boys

r mother like that!" Ada

ay?" Aria took m

Go tend to the garden right no

heir little hands clenched. "No!

screamed. "I will tea

caught them in my arms, sh

wn on my back, my en

n ye

ars of s

of cruelty, pain and suff

" I said

r hand stilled in mida

ren's embrace and

d I yelled. "Enough! They are children, Abigail! My child

urned an ugly shade o

are kin! We are the same but you..." I

ha

announced, enunci

ell over the room a

You are all ashes to

ing outside in the cold with all belo

, mommy?" Aria aske

ped his bandaged che

ers and pulled them in a warm

to the East Sid

unger. I was lucky to have found a mango tree on the way. So I cl

Aria. I loved Adam for caring about his brothers but I could tell he needed rest too. I was

meantime. The nice lady agreed and we all huddled in a chair outside. She wa

ing whatever warmth we had,

med the car door, something fell out of his coat. I squinted my ears at the object on the

ck. Why don't you ask Miss Lisa fo

taurant and she had offered t

t off the chair. Then, he held out his h

air and turned to e

ped and looked at me. "You're co

"Of course. Mom wo

my will be right bac

rant, I looked back at the Black Audi

s the car. When I saw no one was in sight, I sna

r way, a cold hand caught my wris