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Heto kill hi darker It was bad enough that they were all tied up, worse that he wanted them dead, but now Isabelle had no way to reason with hi erous than that

She had to save the kids "Please, let Dale and Rachel go They have nothing to do with this"

"I admit I hadn’t intended to include them at first, but now that I have a better idea of what their lives have been like, I don’t see any other option I could never forgive myself if I left them here to suffer--orphans alone in the world"

"What do you care if they go free? You’ll be dead"

"What kind of man would I be if I used that as an excuse not to do what I know is right? Those children are suffering the same way that you and I have suffered for years Dale would probably end up a suicide before the year was out, anyway Why should he have to endure all that time when the end result is the saone, she’ll end up back with her father"

"No The courts would never grant hihts terminated"

"It won’t ht happen again" He went to Rachel and stroked her cheek "You’d rather go to sleep forever than go live with your daddy again, wouldn’t you, sweetheart?"

Rachel tree with fear Isabelle saw her look grow vacant as she retreated into herself

"Leave her alone! I’m the one you want to kill Not her"

Keith stood and an angry snarl twisted his face "I’ all of this has been easy for me? I’ve sacrificed so much to help all of you You have no idea"

"Please, Keith Please let theo They’ll be fine They’ll take care of each other the e did" She nearly gagged butlad to see your protective instincts are as strong as ever It’ll s easier on both of us The others were easy, but I don’t think I could bring ain I love you tooto hurt o now I can take care of the kids You know I’d never let them suffer"

"That’s not what I mean I just mean that in your case, it won’t be an act It really will be suicide"

"I’ve got too much to live for to ever kill myself You’re insane if you think otherwise"

He gave her a sad s" He took a glass of water fro to s this entire bottle of pills"

"No I’m not"

A look of disappointment crossed Keith’s face He took a pillow from the couch, calan to suffocate him

Shock froze Isabelle in place for aTheher son

The beaded fringe on the pillow shook as Dale thrashed against it, trying to breathe

"Keith, no!" She struggled against her bonds until she heard a loud pop in her shoulder followed by blinding pain Blackness inched over her vision, but she fought it She had to stay awake for the kids Had to save the to protect Dale Anything

"Stop!" she shouted

"Are you going to cooperate?"

"Yes Just let hio"

Keith nodded and set the pillow in Dale’s lap, keeping it handy in case he needed it again, she was sure Dale’s face was blood red, and he sucked air in through his nose,sound

Isabelle ached to go to him To help him

Keith opened the bottle of pills and poured three into his palo?" she asked

Keith shrugged "Like I said, he’s not going to needto kill hier than that He was a survivor

Isabelle sed hard, trying not to throw up Her shoulder throbbed, but at least the pain wasn’t going to htened tears strea with hers not to do this, but she had no choice "I love you, Dale None of this is your fault You stay strong forher not to do it, but she kneas the only way

Isabelle opened her ue, then Keith held the glass for her to drink She sed the like she had the last time Keith had poisoned her

"Only seventy-two o," said Keith in an almost cheerful tone

Another handful of pills went into her mouth Isabelle sed those, too She had no choice She was trapped No escape

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN