lu laid Donavan low. He was confined to his bed, fev

eir faces masks of concern. They bustled into his room, took his temper

oom, laughing and talking with Jeb. Jeb, who had fully "recovered" from his "injuries" and w

. He observed it all with a detached, clinical coldness. He was a sociolog

of them would come

nding in the doorway. Her eyes scanned the room, a slight frow

one. The antique globe from Danielle's father was missing

Donavan murmured, his voice

efore she could press the issue, Jeb's voice called

stantly brightening. She gave Donavan

The thought was so bleakly funny that a dry, rasping

was abuzz with preparations for his gala, the social event of the

. "Tomorrow night. All of Boston will be there. It w

eyes hopeful. She still didn't understand his choic

Donavan s

ng in the hallway. It was Jeb. He had clea

pping into the study. "Are you...

id, not looking u

Jeb's voice was a

gnat, a buzzing annoyance he

ers. Kortney, Danielle, and Jinnie were the stars of the evening, dressed in breathtaking gowns, surrounded

followed hi

has to choose on

Mason. Their families

anielle Peterson

mpagne and listened, a

ornered him near t

ed, her voice low and urgent. "Your father i

concern to you," he replied,

nielle hissed, her composure cra

was not one of love, but

the stage, tapping the microphon

an, his voice booming through the speakers. "Tonight is a special night, not just for

d. The Mason, Peterson, and Pierce family elders a

inced this was all a game, and one of them was about to be declared the winner. They reluc

iling at him. "I'll let Donava

stage. The spotlight found him. This wa

step towar

he world we

ssive video screen behind the stage, which had been displa

een. He was in a dimly lit room, tears stream

o began