el. Every passing truck felt like it was going to run me off the road. Sweat pasted my thin sh

ting, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple. I managed to park the car, my body trembling w

al friend from back home, Sarah, was sitting by the bed, her face etched with worry. She was

relief in her voice. "They said

ents, Richard and Eleanor, swept in, followed

demanded, her voice dripping with disdain. "Did you want the whole

rowl. "Start acting like it. We took you out of that miserab

o defend myself, bu

s hard. "Don't think I won't take you back to that c

n't care. They sided with Cassandra, their perfect daughter, who w

ey told me I was to stay in this room, out of sight, until after Cassandra's wedding. It

ocating silence, I looked at Sarah. Her eyes

lena," she whis

my chest. "Sarah," I said, my voice steady. "I need you to do something for me. Secretly.

, confused. "A wed

I said, a strange calm settling ove