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He ignored her biting sarcasm “I can check,” he warned “With one call”

“Do it,” she choked, acting so offended as she swung away that he experienced a flash ofHe shook it off and scowled at her as he withdrew his phone

Seconds later a muted buzz vibrated in his palh the sound were the whir of a whip and she was bracing herself for the lash

The edges of the device dug into his hard grip as he read and reread the e

“You told him you’d print me a copy if I asked, so he assu to hear it to fully comprehend it

“You didn’t ask,” she pointed out, barely able to look at him

“So it’s real, this charity of yours” She even had a registered number

That swung her around to face him “Of course it’s real! I’m not a liar You don’t truck with those, remember?”

He found hi at a loss as he let it sink in “I don’t understand,” hefaced with soinity for charity? Why would you do that?”

“People like led visibly, jaw flexing as though chewing back words she hadn’ther hair back froed tack “Look I didn’t want all hter Days fills a very real need”

“For who?” he asked suspiciously “Finish what you were going to say People like you deserve what?”

Clair’s jaw ached She didn’t want to tell hiet anywhere with the foundation, she had to conquer this sense of being second class once and for all

“Support,” she answered with a swell of defiance “When there’s nowhere else to turn” She wasn’t as confident inside as she acted It had always been hard to believe she really deserved any such thing when no one else seeree, but she deeply believed children like her deserved a caring home and opportunities to make a secure life for themselves If she didn’t act as their voice, they wouldn’t have one, just as she hadn’t