nk wall. Her chest felt heavy, her thoughts tangled. She was still shaken, still confused. The shame hadn't left her, and neither had the anger. It burned inside her like a q

e was something worse. He saw her, truly saw her, and used what he knew to break her down.

y, free and strong. But deep inside, the truth hurt. She whispered to herself, "He broke me once." The pain of that memory ma

o stand again. Her small room, quiet and simple, felt like a safe place. She took a deep b

ear: she wouldn't let Charlotte and Reese win this time. She

like chains arou

night still shivering over her skin. No matter how many times she turned and tossed in the

ad k

into that hotel room. He

ke lumps. She had tried to pretend that maybe,just maybe,

he chose to

n the door

fast!" Reese

stayed

eese was scrolling on her phone, sipping j

o, perfectly dressed as if nothing ha

ot even a glance of curiosity or g

he inside o

Like a lamb t

o

lamb.

at had already seen the lie be

gan reached for his coat, his ph

me a second," he murmured to E

ackwood there's a problem. It's the gallery on We

rowed. "What do yo

he back section. We tried to intervene, but they said Mrs. Monroe has full o

went still. "That gal

's favorite, wasn't

didn'

ad a deep connection with his aunt Eleanor. A

ended the call and

ber asked, watching

ing trashed. One that meant a l

heart

esn't

....That gallery was my mother's. But she swallowed t

ith you," she

No. You're not getti

can't stay

d sharply. "Fine. But you stay in the car. No

parked on a dark street near the

cts into a dumpster. Bright, colorful paintings torn like trash. He

oor and walked strai

nto fists. Don't cry.

one of the men by the collar. Even from behind

he order?"

d this place i

erior. "Do you know how many times my aunt painted in t

...we were just told it'

or!" Reagan shouted. "I gave t

n disbelief. He knows... he kno

silently dow

of Reese? Or

eagan wasn't fighting

ghting fo

er of the

ry belonged t

ay to wipe her tears, a bla

dn't n

eagan

that steppe

on either of them