When Gratitude Turns Bitter

y and got into Liam's car. Sophia was

va noticed sui

Sophia announced, turning to smile a

t was distant now, muted. The pain was becom

" she said, her vo

iew mirror, his gaze intense. She looked

inking of moving out. I'm an adult n

laced with displeasure. "Don't b

light laugh. "She's a big girl now. It

d faintly, a s

had designed just for her, with a large bay window and walls painted her favorite shade of blue

ore. It was theirs. She des

and her books from the shelves. It took her the entire afternoon. She

follow-up appointment, Sophia

n?" Sophia asked, the picture of

ngry," Ava

gain," Sophia called out to Li

eat. You're going to make yourself sick again." His ton

a sat down and forced herself to eat the breakf

she got out of the taxi line and went a different way. She wasn't go

er paperwork, a familia

are you d

Liam's commanding officer and a

naging a polite smile. "I'm just

alking to Liam the other day. I'm so glad he and Sophia

frozen on her f

t's a good match for Liam, very helpful for his career. He's a good boy, Liam. He's worked so har

arriage to Sophia was a strategic mov

r voice soft. "I'll spen

iled, satisfied. "T

eyes. Yes, she thought. I will repay him.

ad left her two properties. She took out both deeds. One, a small apartment downtown, she put

tment was more than enough to cover the cost of raising her fo

they woul