From Neglect to True Love

Hayes c

lcome party. Cars lined the long, winding driveway. M

ated social gathe

tailored black suit that made him look sharp and

nty-first. He always had an excuse. He needed to meditate, to detach from worldly

engaged man, all for Olivia. I finally understood. It

to swallow the lump in my throat. I moved through the crowd, feeling

Daniel got for Olivi

s wedding gift for Sarah. The one he wa

nge. Look at them. They

ress, was laughing up at Daniel. My adoptive parents, David and Martha, stood beside them

me. A smug, triumphant smile touched her lips. She excused herself

laced with poison. "Seven years ago, you c

at her, s

's make a little bet, shall we? Do you think Mom, Dad, and Dani

peed. She took the diamond brooch from her dres

peared on her pe

g down her face. Her expression shift

re angry! I didn't mean to take anything from you! If you want Daniel's brooch that much, you can h

formance, and the ro

d. The musi

a mask of fury. She didn't even look at Olivi

up, striking me across the face. The

ew you'd never change!

he pain that exploded in my chest. I looked pas

And his gaze was filled wi

g to explain. "She did i

ere completely drowned out by