nd a worn-out grocery flyer. Amelia's mother nearly tossed it into the bin, mistaking it

od Univ

ore it open, her eyes scanning the wor

tions, Miss

hip to Blackwood University, sponsore

landing hard on the couch. Her daughter-her only child-was bein

s later, breathless and hopeful, her

" Her eyes landed on the open

't tell me you applied to Richard's university , I thought

even sure I'd get in anywhere. And then..." She lifted the letter with reverence. "They said a man I help

r voice came out thin and

ha

not go to that school. Burn that letter

n praying for. Mom, it's a full scholarship. We don't have t

rse," Mari

d like a curta

y... he was your father's friend once. Until he stole everything from him. He le

. "What are you talkin

oods... something valuable. He brought Richard with him, because they were like brothers. But Richard betrayed him. Took it all.

lowly onto the armrest. "You've kep

spered. "And now, fate is p

her eyes scanning the clean font

ilt a world with what he stole from Dad..." her voice hard

r sharply. "You're

sliding it back into its envelope. "All I know is this may be the on

y with fear. "Promise me, Amelia. Promise

t her mot

"But maybe it's time they