t expected Claire t

for a moment-then b

ation. "If it weren't for the Thompson family, you wouldn't even be alive right now! Se

her, face express

go-when she'd still clu

alled this woman "Mo

ompsons had come to care

y clear-she had only eve

swallowed hard, but still,

pened to me today?" she asked qui

ght off guard. The

et it go? You're the older sister-can't you be a little more understanding? Serena's

turned colder w

e said, voice low,

spat, her ey

r foster mother-apologize. I'm sorry I failed to raise you right. I'm sorry you were w

lled Serena into her arms, as if the w

guilt? No gratitude? I must have been blind back then. Get out! Don't show your face her

ll into stu

tching with barely conc

amily-what future could some

n front of everyone. She would

ocked on h

pened he

Nelson stepped forward and p

day. It's fine to love one child more-but at least be fair. And let's not forget, the Coopers and Thompsons

, Claire s

d the divorce papers. Legally sp

landed l

cked Nelson had steppe

's r

already

led on the floor

k at Claire, eyes da

wait. She pick

I have nothing more to do with the

en looked dire

ceived. Lou

ok a b

t one step-and lowered her he

sn't theatrical. It was q

d, her voice steady. "For r

en if the affection had long since rot

betrayal-she r

ound the room began t

ire did

lm and composed,

h

ai

ce rang out