Reborn From Ashes, Found A Love

Osborn

embling with a mixture of rage and disbelief. But he cut

lie to me

stand in front of Francine, who was now sobbing delicately

eld for him in my heart was extinguished, leaving nothing but cold, dead

' t you believe me? Carter, it' s me. It' s been m

use. For a split second, I saw a flicker of the

wn face again, even harder this time. "It' s my fault," she cried, her voice thick with fake guilt. "I shouldn' t

stment, his startup, his entir

by a fresh wave of fury directed entirely

to the wall. The framed photo on top-our first picture together, taken eight years ago, his arm wrapped around me, his

g face, now fractured beyond repair. The symbolism was s

. Without another word, I stepped over the mess and walked out of the room. I was done

a message from him. "Family dinner at

another message came through.

on. Any stress, any hint of trouble between Carter and me, cou

e. The moment I saw my mom, her face lit up with a loving smile that nearly broke me.

' t alone. Francine was clinging to his arm, dressed in an elegant even

d back. "Francine, how lovely to see you. Ami

ctically family," he said, his eyes locking onto mine with a silent threat.

voice low and menacing. "Apologize to her in front of everyone, or I swear

Carter' s father, completely oblivious. The thought of her coll

small price to

s if through water. "Francine," I said, t

pagne from a passing tray and held it out to me. "Apol