Sadie draws back slightly, looking up at me, dazed. "I tried to say no and walk away, because I thought of you. I wanted to call you to come help me. I've never even thought of doing that before with anyone." Moisture swims into her blue eyes. "I didn't want to do it. I changed my mind, but I got stuck. And then everything happened so fast—"

"I believe you," I say without hesitating.

And it's not just a line. I do.

It's about time someone did.

About time someone took a look at the setbacks she's been facing since birth and marveled over how bright she's become despite it...