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Her mother's words slammed into Zoe with the force of a Mack truck "Untrue," Zoe protested too quickly "I just didn't want to cause complete panic until I had more facts You kno much I love you all You know I adore Sam I had everyone's best interests at heart"

Her father strode forward and clai "You, I have faith in Thather father's side, Zoe wanted to defend Ryan She told herself it was for Sam's sake that she needed to redee heart and the wave of eh her told her that her

"Ryan's a decent man, Papa"

"Bah" Nicholas folded his arms across his chest

"Ari? Quinn? What do you think of Ryan?" her mother asked

"You don't need to ask them" Zoe's voice rose, this time in her own defense "I'e his character And I can tell you that he's as much a victim of circumstance as we are Ryan loved Sam before he ever met her He caive her a good life"

"She already has a good life," her father said, gesturing with his hands to the four walls of the home he'd provided for his family

"But he didn't know that!" Zoe clenched her fists in frustration

"Everyone needs to cal between them "This is a shock, so let's take some time to let it sink in before we tell Sam"

"Sam already knows" The object of their discussion walked in fro in her arms, eyes ith shock "That stuffed shirt is

Zoe had no words to reassure her Sam was a smart kid and she'd probably already assessed the situation and realized the possibility of yet another upheaval in her life

"What are you doing back fro control while everyone else stared in ot sick and her mom dropped me off on the way to the pharmacy"

Elena wrapped an arirl re the

"Don't juured out, okay?" As always, Quinn attempted to be the voice of reason

"Yeah, sure Whatever" Obviously not even Quinn's strong presence seeainst her chest, ignoring Iaze, Sa the rules of bringing the pig upstairs The teen deserved soive

Sto Sam's actions in herthe adults to stare helplessly at one another