asia's eyes when her mother died. But this? This was something else ent

pse into a black hole, consuming itself. She barely spoke, barely moved. He and the boys made meals she barely touched, Sean often sat beside her, saying nothing, just of

expressions, no hint that they even cared that Anastasia was in turmoil. The way they carri

ons about Beth and Britney echoed in his mind. He'd never doubted his instincts before, but he had always seen Beth a

rity cameras around the house-motion-activated. It had been more of a prec

aring for a long night, and sta

r, nothing

The screen showed Britney, outside at nearly midn

the

ng. There was Anastasia, livid, yellin

g brat! Can't you stop doing this sh

A cruel, mocking sound

his blood

clothes out in the rain! I have no

walked along

this up. And when you're done,

th's voice-cold, unfeeling. He had ne

e had he

after scene unfolded. Britney shoving Anastasia into the pool whil

hone. Said she'd dropped it in water. He hadn't thou

knew th

And Anastasia, his strong, stubbor

art hammering. He downed the rest of his drink in o

end

e boys in the living room watching television. Sean and Matt were exhausted

s voice like steel. "G

t they didn't go far. Instead, they slipped upst

. "This shou

nned. "F

f the storm about to hit. Wyatt stood in front

om you." His voice was eerily calm.

Beth, who remained stone-faced, before t

she st

hink very carefully before you ans

p quivered.

ay tricks o

ntly. "No! I don't know

Beth, who sat stiffl

said. Not a ques

owed hard.

sper. "I trusted you with my daughter, and you treate

ched. "She exag

his head. "No. No, sh

le

the couch, her tea

her, "are going to boarding sch

! Daddy, I'

ings." Wyatt