CYNTHIA's P O V

This morning while I was making my way up the stairs to return some books to the school library, scenes from the previous day were playing through my head. I couldn’t help the smile on my face as I recalled how I pretended not to understand what daddy means. Stupid, Julian!

After ascending to the second floor to access the hallway leading to the library, I was stopped in my tracks by something. Melanie and Becca could be seen there having a conversation to one another while standing against the wall.

Instantaneously, my grip became much firmer on the books that I was carrying against my...