na's

time when Lu

k me little gifts: the worn-out teddy bear I still clung to during sleepless nights,

e existed in his eyes was long gone, replaced by something bitter and cold. Olivia h

to that wedding whether I wanted to go or not.

locking the door behind me, d

garage of the HMP Grand Hotel, one of the most luxurious in

uld feel the shift in the air. Eyes turned toward me. Curious, some wi

the ex-con A

ho even le

oks so

re catching up to her. The Harrington

wish she'd di

a second skin. No matter what I did, no matter how many shifts I worked or how many times I sw

The one they "found," sickly and helpless

r. Had they ever done a DNA test? Or were they so despera

r somewhere, just anywhere

eding me to the wolves. The one who'd coaxed me into signing a confession I didn't even understand, promising

heat rise u

e on your knees, Mateo Blackwood. And I'll m

ou made it," he said, his

I brushed past him and sa

o figure out how to save face. He turned slightly toward the room, no doubt awar

e I even thought about it. My voice cam

ention, and his smile twisted just slightly at the edges, his jaw tightening before

hed behind their

pain ground me, dulling the fire in my c

ping to a whisper only I cou

htened his suit jacket, and waved casually

t hated being here, among these people who watched me

ed across the vast ballroom, anno

ove. I jus

e gown. Her face was powdered pale and glowing, and every detail screame

s locked on Olivia with practiced devotion. The crowd clapped and c

voice pierc

ring such cheap clothes

ed. My

d me from head to toe, her tone clipped a

aid evenly, not bothering

e seen near me. "Selena, you could've asked for money. You're deliber

. "She's not even wort

chin. "She's still my daughter. I wo

laugh. Like I w

ce Olivia came back five years ago. No

finances. He's deposited thousands into your ac

't seen a cent. I scrub toilets and floors to

Maybe for the first time, she won

ause trouble. The Harringtons are here today. Remember, you're on their blac

not even allowed to stand? Don't worry. I'll stay out of sight. I don't con

hissed. "Crime or not, you

false confession. Like she didn't stand by while

ed and w

okay. But that love had been fleeting. When Olivia appeared, fragile, beautiful and oh

crowd then, pulling me fro

across the room, sharp and unreadable. And for th