The Betrayal Of Blood

ia's

***

th silence, resentment, and the slow realization that

-

painting soft golden streaks across my bedroom

rena hate

me, the same parents, the same opportunities. Ye

overthinking again. Maybe I just needed to

door interrupt

you up?" My

d back, sittin

to the si

something about it ma

-

the couch, their expressions unreadable. Serena was already

m. "Good morning, Mom

ly. "Good morni

serious. "Sit

pounded as I searched their faces

s on his knees. "I've been thinking a

ped up, her eyes n

ttling on me. "Especially you, Sophia. You've proven time and

unsure where

aid, his voice firm, "I've

le

caught in

ked, my voice bare

ssly for this company. You've never let anything distract

brewed i

to know Serena's rea

as thick,

yself to l

rd she was gripping the armrest. Her jaw was

ensing my gaze, s

ke s

her voice coated with sug

hear t

d se

sn't happ

as fu

bones, that she wasn'

-

he O

d into the building

ulations

at's inc

deser

es, colleagues and employees wh

for one

re

her arms crossed, her

her

d-I thought I saw somethi

hing

like before,

o shake the uneasy feel

-

s Invi

usual confident stride, a pla

ation," he said. "I want to take

"Danny, I d

g. "I knew you were going to say no, b

haking my h

was w

without ev

to me, filled with resentment, a

asn't

didn't

-

s Inter

heading toward the door

, Da

th tu

the receptionist's d

" she asked, tilting her head ever so s

ched m

doing

take wha

ed at her,

ooth but firm. "I'm going out

smile cracked f

ers twitched, he

lmost sa

mo

I knew

type to let somethi

ng at the edges, though her eyes

ile wa

her whisper under her breath,

have it al

ran down

n't jus

lanning s

no idea wh

-

when the person closest to yo