, her professional focus

. we did find something. During the i

bag. Inside was a tiny o

" my mother as

e for pets. It's been partially crushed, but

her expression unreadable.

ve a clue he knew we'd fin

know everything they can pul

er phone buzzed. The caller ID r

answered, forcing a warmth into her

oney. How are

thousand miles away at her university. I could feel her worry like

goes straight to voicemail. I have

overreacting. Your sister is perfectly fine. She is being a teen

s! It's not like h

ther. His tone was sharp, dismissive. "She will show up when her little tantrum is over. No

en't handling it. They

t D

is a bigger deal than it is. We wi

dead. He had h

isbelief, her heart pounding with a fear my parents refused to a

rubbing her temple

oth need to understand that this family has rul

morgue, a silent testament to conseq

ced to wear. After I was found and brought back, the name felt heavier. It came with expectations I could never m

et. I was introverted. I was a girl w

hearts. Her name was Charlotte. And

sie. The problem.

as the victi

and they were blind to it. Blinded by their ambition, their

dged in my throat. It was on the security tapes.

, it wouldn't just b

e their de