ver the rim. She didn't care. She dropped to her knees beside the bed and grabbed G
habitually gripped an unlit wooden pipe. His knuckles were white. H
dried blood and dirt from Gisele's forehead. With every stroke, she let out a broken, chok
mother's hands. The absolute, unconditional love radiating from Mari
ers. "Mom, don't cry," Gisele said. Her throat was still
at Gisele. Usually, the slightest scrape would have Gise
. He took a step forward. His b
thick with reluctant compromise. "
oaned. "I'll go talk to Chauncey Beck tomorrow. I'll ask him
trying to please that city boy. He was willing to swallow his pride
emperature in Gisele's eyes plummeted. Pure,
ced herself to sit up, ignoring the sharp throb i
N
cut through the
ting silence. The only sound was the
hit the hardwood floor with a sharp clack. Maria's eyes went wide. Sh
s terrifyingly calm. "Dad, do not go to
ainst Gisele's forehead, her voice trembling with panic. "Sweetheart, did yo
s hand away. She held it firmly. "I'm not confu
tween her shocked parents. I
brutal. "He only cares about the food we send him. He only
d onto his daughter's face. He was searching for the lie. He was searching f
cold, mature clarity that sent a
break their perception of her. She pointed to the glass
glass of cold
ne request. But he moved mechanically, pouring th
the freezing water in three massive gulps. The ice-cold liquid burned down he
own on the wooden nightstand.
clared, wiping a drop of water from he
rs spilled over her cheeks, but this time, her sho
three years. The rigid tension in his back vanished. The co
hand on top of Gisele's head, ruffling her hair with
his palm. A real, genuine
moment was shat
, there was a sudden scuffle of feet, followed by the lou
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