a's

d glance, keeping Kira held tight against my chest, s

my," she whispered, her voice small and

tly, forcing a brave smile she couldn't see. "We're no

iting at the curb. I opened the back door and c

I allowed myself one las

followed me. He just stood there, his face obs

concern. And Nate, little Nate, had run to the edge of the driveway. H

ing emptiness. I got into the car and shut the d

please," I told the dr

Mccormick estate behind. In the rearview mirror, the manor gr

g, slow breath. A crushing weight I hadn't even realized I was c

ers's

ack sedan disappear at the end of the driveway

. The soul-tearing agony of her rejection was still shar

e who needed to cling to me just to survive in th

nce a silent comfort. I knew she probably thought Anika

n less than three days, she would be cr

aged to get my attention, a massive

rejection document on my

r name, "Anika Velazquez," on it w

resume the party, I was going to toss that absurd piec

ally think she could threa