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I turned to her, hoping to kill her with lare "Why are you still here?"

"It is ioing to be life-changing for you, Ellie Take advantage What your parents are doing is the hardest thing they’ve ever done, and they’re doing it because they love you"

"Oh ht I’lad to see you’ve maintained a sense of humor"

"That wasn’t huht off withsnake"

"Best to you, dear I do hope we’ll talk soon"

"I hope you textbefore looking up and being hit head-on by a truck full of toxic waste"

Sally didn’t look appalled, but sad, turning for the door without another word She spoke softly with my parents, Maricela, and José before the front door closed and their car headed for the gate

I poundedas loudly as I could The words co from my mouth didn’t even make sense, and I couldn’t remember as said from one sentence to the next, but I had no choices, and it was the only thing to do

I rushed down the hall to Finley’s rooone

"What the fuck?" I said, running back to my rooht away "Ellie? Oh ave s packed and sitting next to the door when I got back to my room"

"They kicked you out, too?"

"No They want me to leave for Sanya They said you need time alone"

"Oh, for fuck’s sake I’ to do? Mother said you’re cut off"

"I … I don’t know I haven’t thought that far ahead I guess … I guess I…" If I asked Finley for money, I would be as pathetic as every putrid mule we’d bitched about since puberty

"They’ve forbiddendefeated "But I left all the cash I had in ht or nine hundred She’s taken your passport and frozen all of your accounts I’ to happen? Is that why you came home?"

"Of course not You’re my sister, Ellie…"

"It’ll be okay Thanks for the cash When they stop being e their minds"

"No," Finley said softly "They’ve turned over control to Sally"

"That’s ridiculous Not even possible"