is? After what you've done?" The sting was immediate, sharp, and unrelenting, her skin burning as if it had been set alight. Danielle's knees buckled, h

at her to just give in, to let the pain

ith satisfaction as she watched Danielle struggle. Jared's expression is unreadable, though his jaw was tight, his hands clenched into fi

htly from the pain. But then, something inside her snapped. Her back straightened, her chin lifting defiantly as she locked eyes with Isa. Her almond-shaped eye

rough the room, sharp and laced with anger. His glare piercing as he

ked to Jared next, lingering for a moment before she spoke. "i didn't push Chloe" she began, her v

line of his face. Danielle's heart sank, but she didn't let it show. Instead, she straightened her s

quite process what she'd just said. "What new game are you playing now?" he finally asked, his voice low and dangerous. "You kille

You should be thankful. Now that I'm finally out of your life,

er body. Each step was agony, her feet dragging slightly as she made her way toward the door

Three years in the Hughes household, and yet she had so little to show for it. A few clothes

agged it toward the door, ignor

ere, his eyes searching hers for something-regret, perhaps, or maybe even guilt. But Danielle didn'

sat on her suitcase, her legs trembling beneath her, and waited for Heather to pull up in her car. The worl

happened to you?" Her eyes widened as she took in the injuries on Danielle's legs, t

strength was fading fast, and before she

ing beside her bed, typing furiously on her laptop. She looke

side. "You had a forty-degree fever, and your wounds.

adn't cried in front of them-hadn't let them see her break-

"You don't have to go back there," she said firmly.

her hand, her voice barely above a whisper.

he didn't argue. Instead, she nodded slow

gh it didn't reach her eyes. "Thank

ed her hand ag

ughes family had been her life for so long-what would it mean to walk away? But deep down, she knew it was

he turmoil inside her. "After lunch," she said qu

"Of course," she said fir