room. The doctor said I'd fain

arged me a

neve

t cold, empty. Even th

ng some charity gala with Chloe.

iveway. He was undoubtedly with

ved in for five years,

gs seemed pathe

window when Chloe walk

s, something expensive. He

her voice dripping with false

n't a

to the room, examining

e said, picking up a small framed photo of me and Ethan from happi

romise despite adversity.' Ethan helped me with

cold. "Etha

ing brightly. "He wants what'

er smile widened,

. The one about dark matter signatures? Brilliant stuff. He said

. My thesis work.

you talk

field," Chloe said airily. "Ma

door pool at the back of the Harrison house.

than built that little deck by the lake, remember? At his family's summer

de a big show of it.

d, her eyes glinting. "He's such a strong swimmer himself. He said he learn

k for *her*, the swimmer he always wanted,

Ethan's kindness was

I said, my voice

ile vanish

unged

quick. She grabbed my arm, he

er face contorted with rage. "The brilliant foster girl

shove me towa

feet, but I was still

oor to the pool

rrison stood there

g?" Susan rushed to Chloe's

ng a trembling finger at me. "She said

s like thunder. "How dare you! Af

ds me, his face

say a word, he

lance, my ar

r of the pool

ck stealing my breath. I cou

uncaring. "Oh, let her learn a less

Water filled my

ed to creep in, strong

ha

edge of the pool, cou

nd, I felt a surge

d at me, his

yelled, his hands still gripping my arms p

s arms. "I was so scared, E

ater streaming down my face. "She

e, then to David, who stood

an said, his voice cold. "And Davi

m. Instantly. W

like

alse tears, Susan's disdain, David'

ways the one in the wrong.

r washed over me, cold

s br