real, the detail

mask of bitter triumph, s

oice smooth, "David and Carol

livia, this stranger

before my SATs, and I got

Dad Ashton against

e Baxters, as poor and neglectful, p

eating, my h

elf, a stupid stress dream befo

adopted daughter for eight

ful local entrepreneur, always

ity pillar, her warmth filling

m away and focuse

ng, the do

n went to

woman's voice, t

... I think you

od ran

he living room, a terribl

e sh

rom my dre

little lost, a little fragile, but w

d Ashton a story about a hospital

ghter," she choked out,

re in shock, t

so composed, looke

stared, her hand

a flicker of something

ning, just l

of course," Dad Ashton

gerly. "Of cours

e, her expression so

e so hard fo

livia, the one who smile

was just t