motionally and physically, I found Jake

, of course, al

out a sheaf of papers. "

at them. "W

my voice steady. "To help us communicat

"Oh, that sounds like a good ide

I offered, and scribbled

n Chloe, on her ever

documents. My lawyer h

enda' s casual cruelty, m

n. He' d stood up to Brenda f

ull, with seven years of misery in one

Mrs. Peterson, visi

ooked

n began, her hands twisting

son said, his voice gruff. "Thin

rson whispered. "To a man named Ric

of Jake's reaction if they told him, scared of pushing hi

Peterson sighed. "He sees her a

sitant confession only

ay, Chloe st

dy's gone!

ide, all concern. "We'll fi

anized. Jake led it, h

p. He probably assumed

ut the couldn't.

Chloe. And