E

. They must've been swollen. I hadn't stopped cr

a smile so fragile it could

nstantly. "Venus, what's

saw through it.

d. The truth would break her. And I couldn't ad

she star

alk about it," I muttered, brushin

ched for my hand. "Okay, d

the lump in my throa

er voice lifted, blooming w

idn't deser

ice turned cold, sharp

enu

need rest. Chemo

throat. God, I needed to make

antiseptic and lavender. I

dead body-mine. The weight of hopelessness pressed on my s

rry

a game? A trap he'd enjo

me. The fact I was c

me, the front door

N

w I lo

prawled on the couch, reeking of sweat

burned up

ed it with water, and

p, you

sputtering. "What th

money, Dain!

You had that much stashed and let Billy rou

osed to touch it. It

hy bother? She'

t wa

arled. "Shut you

n he sla

ar

our father," he slurred. "Di

sna

d of glass near the table. I gra

Or I swear to Go

used.

hreat

s, backing away. "L

I screamed, lungi

bled. Th

haking, chest heaving. Then the tears came-violent, uncontrollable.

at storm for

the house like it could scrub my sha

Sin

e I should've asked more question

How powerful. How he always seemed te

eople make s

ed up m

ed on the

" My voice was hollow

ion. No emotion. J

whispered. My pride shat

I'd fold. "We'll discuss the

li

, I traded my f

her... maybe