's
knock
nket higher, exchanging morning greetings, trying desperately
e you okay?" she asked, stepping closer. "You haven't com
ust down with a bad headache
girls to bring you breakfast, and Doct
ks, Mo
k about what you want to do now
had named me Ivy when I was dumped at the orphanage as a baby. The only thing left with me was a silver necklace. When I turned eighteen, Mother
later, breakfast and the medicine were sitting on the bedside tab
nd the orphanage-feeding the kids and changing their clothes. I
ty of that night caught up wit
food when a sudden wave of dizziness hit me. M
other Thess asked, her
weak, M
ce, the floor rushed up to meet m
d. Doctor Josh was standing nearby, telling Mother Thess that the lab results would b
, her fingers gently smoothing back my h
oom holding a clipboard. He looked at Mother Thess and
ything ok
ure. She
couldn't fathom what he was hiding. They stepped over to the f
ed on the results, Iv
s shouted, the word echoi
ng at me with a look of p
e demanded, her voice
eamed down my face. "You hardly ever step foot outsi
truth finally tearing its way out of my throat. "Lilian and Danita... th
voice breaking. "I woke up the next
shock to anger. "Who was he? Do you know his na
hispered, my chest tightening. "
into deep, crushing sorrow. She reached out and
lity for that night, darling. You have a little life growing
eeing how heartbroken she looked for
ther," I cried out, holding onto her as
tor Josh gave me pregnancy vitamins and med
me, Mother Thess pulled him aside and told him everything-the spiked juice, the setup at La Pella,
e weren't the onl
I walked slowly toward my room, they stepped out from the hallwa
Lilian said loudly enough for everyone nearby to hear. S
absolute trash, opening your legs for chump change. How desperately did you want to leave the
an shouted, raising her voice so the re
Staring eyes and sharp gasps pierced the air
king me. I kept my chin up, ignored their gossi
my desk, picked up the threatening paper with the no
ence, and my destiny woul
her Campbell sent f
demanded, his voice stern. I don't want any lies, only the truth. Did y
, crying and faking tears t
er Campbell warned them, his eyes narrowing. Or if I find out later,
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