gala was s

nsive perfume and the low hum of self-congratulation. My stepfather, Matthew S

h the speakers, "to honor a student who embodies resilience and

humble in a simple, elegant dress. She was a scholarship student, her e

s and students applauded.

e a father figure. I knew Andrew, his son from a previous marriage, had no blood relation to m

found mine across the room. She took the

cking. "It' s... it' s been so hard. Espec

locked

verything... who make it their mission t

the hall. All e

my life a living hell. The bullying... the constant reminders that I' m just a c

hung in the air

off the stage and marched directly toward me,

his voice low and menacing.

ould smell the cham

name. You will get on your knees, right

und, my expres

ppointed patriarch. "Gabrielle, this is not how

idea he was just a pawn in a game he d

a' s tearful facade dropped for a split second.

whispered something to him, something I

rm. "Did you h

ious eyes wit

No