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“I see you need a touch-up I’ve got the polish in ain while ait on the turkey to finish cooking?”

Just as I had hoped, Aria’s lips form the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen “Yes!” she exclaims excitedly

I stand and look over at Luca His eyes are still on us, but the worry has faded as he sees the smile on both Aria’s and my faces His lips tip up into the half smile I like to see on him I motioninside His eyes dart around the yard, and I follow the in a pair of lawn chairs with Helen When Luca’s eyes come back to me, he lifts his chin

I lead Aria into the house as she babbles away about the rabbing the fingernail polish from my purse, we both sit at the kitchen table She does ue out the side of her mouth in concentration, just as she does when she draws I don’t hs as I dramatically shake h at her when she does the same

“I’ve missed you so much, Jules,” she says after I put the polish away

I pull her into my araze down at her “I proether”

It’s a promise I plan to keep, somehow or another

“I’ve got to go potty You go on back outside, and

I’ll be there in a minute”

She skips away, and I’hter than it was earlier She deserves to be happy all the time

I go to the bathrooave Aria I need ati out she sahat Theo had almost done to me has frayed my nerves I pray to God she doesn’t know exactly what Theo was doing Revulsion has ht

I splash cold water ontoback color into my pale cheeks My eyes are a little red, but hopefully no one will notice To o back outside, I pull in several deep breaths before grabbing the door handle As soon as I pull open the door, I’ain My back hits the sink and a sharp pain radiates up h lare His back is against the door, and I can practically see the rage pulsing from his bunched-up muscles

“Wh-what are you doing, Theo?” I try to put as th into my tone as possible, but it still comes out shaky

“Has he fucked you yet?” he hisses through clenched teeth

My eyes widen “What? No!”