began gathering their things, ready

e occurrence for them-reserved only fo

leave, Ethel summoned the

way of your decision to adopt her, but you should know something," she said, her voice lowering to a conspira

For years, she'd watched Rodger and Julia show

y a girl with no family and a past full o

, his tone firm, "Mom, Grace is my daughter now

sharp response. Her eyes flashed as she said, "Ethel, you mustn't sa

throb. She pressed her hand to her forehead and waved them away. "Th

u noticed your mom always seems to come down with a headache the m

ut laugh, gently squee

e could tell her question wasn't

age," he said with a warm s

for them on t

s scattered along the sidewalk, and Grace stepped

an engine's roar

re down the street, flinging m

t Grace slipped back just in time, lettin

the night as the luxury sed

ge, sweat glistening at his temples. "Please forg

ss, Grace replied, "No harm done. Make

, there was a firmness to her

r's face-he hadn't expected such co

ear window crept downw

rough the silence. "Care to

herself staring at a man who

s angular features, though his sharp nose and

at felt like cold steel

n a second glance, Grace's pupils slightly contracted

careless-" the driver blurted out

slightly, the cold glint of a Patek Ph

irk. "Apologies, miss. Tell me h

wn the legendary healer, Dr.

urveyed him from head to toe, her mouth curling into a wry grin. "What's the rush? Afra

If you fail to cure it by then..." She let her words hang, th

is grip on the checkbook tightened, turning his kn

know som

legs as if something clicked in her mind. "You're d

ugh to say, "It'd be wise for you to save yo

ntion of feeding

" Rodger's voice, gentle a

to a bright, genuine smile. She dashed to

could only stare, still ratt

Colton to the core-his poisoning, his paralysis, the restless

k to Colton in that manner had a

ng her, Colton watched Gr

he turn away, his voice as chil

ed forward, tires hu

lifeless legs, absentmindedly tappi

is," he said, his tone

all his ailments so easily? Was there a leak about his me

eyes, making his expre

rea had reached his ears, so he came in search. Instead, h

tant replied from up front,