Mayo

rs since I' d last spoken the number into a phone, but m

nswered on the first ring

said, my voice c

en a choked sob. "Miss April?

man who had practically raised me. When I told him about Dexter, his grand

ck with tears. "He wants to meet his grandson. He says he' ll send a

ign, a distant country I

mall wooden wolf Emerson had carved for him. He was mu

I wanted him to leave this place with happy memories, not the gaping

take. Hope is a

ked by two imposing men. She had never liked me. To her, I was a nameless, parentless stray who had sullied her precious bloodl

morning. "Both of you. Emerson is making an important annou

. "Is Daddy there? I

dread tightened in my stomach. I knew this w

ok old. As we were led into the grand ballroom, a sea of disapproving faces turned to stare. The ai

chran, who stood beside him, her hand resting delicately

"I have gathered you all here today to share some joyous

applause rippled

n me with chilling precision, "will be the only legitimate heir to Goodman Inno

re, a handsome statue, while his mother systematically erased me and our son from his life. He gently placed a hand

at Dexter. His face was pale, his eyes wide with con

le. "Daddy said he can' t wait to be a father.

ting indictment that silenced the room.

one of them sneered. "Does he r

ain on our family' s reputation," an

we will graciously allow the boy to stay, as an adopted orphan under the family' s care. And as

nie' s voice, sharp and conspiratorial, telling Chloe, "You ar

A carefully construct

ths down his small face. "I' m not an orphan,"

eak, but Chloe placed a restraining hand on his arm. He looked at her, then back at

ker of hope died, leaving

"He has nothing to do with you," I said, my v

rs. "Dexter," I said, my own voice breaking. "Listen to me. From now on,

ooked at me, a desperate, questioning expression on his face. But the love I once saw t

ching sound of a five-yea

me, blocking my path. Her smile was poison.

s grandmother. He had given it to me the day Dexter was born, promising it was a pl

voice dangerously quiet,

s just... a family heirloom, Apri

s all about fami

er. It felt cold against my skin. I held it out to C

to a smile that didn' t reach my eyes. "I hope

me, his face a m

back. He watched me go, his mouth slightly parted, as if he was

s too

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