thoughts, tightened he

! I'll take care of you!" she chir

tated. He gl

her eyes, red-rimmed b

ce thick with unshed tears. "Who do you w

esit

u,

und escaped her. R

hug, her thin arms

make sure you're healthy, happy

rn sweater that smelled faintly of bargain d

ys be with

r love into Sophia, and Sophia

I would c

inda! I haven't agreed to thi

ney, why don't you and Sophia go upstairs and

pulling aw

pasting a wobbly, seven-y

pack," I said, rea

orced innocence, but a flicker of something ugly – triump

dded c

ht, then led her towards the narrow s

rd *not* want me. Isabella was a perfec

about all the toys s

a sharp, deliberate shove.

and sudden, blo

momentum

ted, and let mys

sharp, ornate corner o

d blinding, explod

act as I tumbled down

as my adult mind. The agony was real, and a

e, her eyes wide, fat t

? You fell!" she cried, her voice a p

tsteps pounding towards us. I

ver, was a di

s face contorted in

r head! What if it scars? Isabella

cruel, were exactly