ick of the latch sounding final. I pulled my suitc

rn a thousand times in this house, placing them neatly insid

my nightstand, my fingers brushed

taken before she died, were slas

miling face, my childhood innoc

had been in my room yesterday while

it wasn't just disgust. It

saw me as nothing more than a convenience, a placeholde

e the only pictures I

d into something else, something sharp and clear. I had to get awa

e and dialed my fat

oice hushed. "I'm c

ther end. "Tonight? Ava, w

book a flight for me? The last one out o

voice, but also a note of long-suppressed hope. "I'll send th

d, more to myself than to h

as t

when he had tried to have me move in with

as seared in

his face pale with a rage I h

ting anyone near, not even his own father. "She'

protect. She

taken his terrifying p

lt safe,

control. He didn't want to pr

w post from Liam. My blood ran cold as I read it. He had posted a picture of h

g rid of the leeches and social climbers who try to get in

and adding their own veiled insults about the unnamed "leech." It was a public shaming, a clear messag

d again. A mes

ry, I'll take good care of Liam for you.

ace, a delicate silver locket my mother had given me. I

used to let them fall. I would

, wiped my screen, a

would let them think I was just going to the gu

rture would

sphere at the breakfast ta

m and Chloe acted like a perfect couple, feeding each o

, their happiness a weapon

ty gala is tonight? I almost forgot." He glanced at Chloe, his eyes softeni

his attention. "Oh, Liam. I

t time all morning, and a cold dread was

s voice smooth as silk. "A