r of feigned normalcy

e. The score report arrived, pristin

bombed. Her score s

ispleasure, but then a cunning light entered her eyes as sh

Jessie, loud enough for me to hear. "We

at me over Mo

ept my face neutral. Let them think

was

deo clips: Jessie, undeniably her with that ankle tattoo, at raucous parties, drinking, smok

otel on the edge of town. Their body language was unambiguous. He even foun

nature," Ethan told me, handing over a file.

rf

est part

Rick' s distinctive, loud car pulling away from our house late that night. I remembered Mom, pale and frantic, scrubbing the kitchen

Karen t

ts, asking innocent questions

r miss Dad?" I a

miss that man? He was a

sudden. Were the police su

ou getting at, Sarah? It was a

fear in her eyes. She

rs were due to arrive, the atmosphere i

t. Stanford. F

or a moment. Her eyes li

voice dripping with false sweetness. "But

from the local community co

torting in rage. She threw it

on't you worry, my love. I told

ll give Jessie your acceptance. You will write a letter to Stanford saying

, my voice q

blazed. "Wha

tance. I earned it. Jessie w

. "You bitch! You'

. "It's already ruined,

sk of fury. "You ungrateful child! A

r sound. "You've done nothing but try to

e beginning of