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"Fa of all," she replied "If there is every anything I can do, please don't hesitate to ask me"

I watched her leave, hating her for being strong enough to come

17

Penance

I didn't believe Sae

he de afternoon His eyes were so filled with it that they looked bloodshot His norshell white spots and the skin on his temple was so taut, it could have been used over a drues when he entered and he slammed it so hard, the walls shook I was about to protest when he extended his arer jabbed at my surprised face

"Don't," he co"

After saying that, he fu in front of me Then he paused, took a deep breath and put his hands palms down on my desk as he leaned towardfrom his eyes of fire I half-expected he would burn his palm prints into the wood

"Your sister canant with Nelson Childs' baby and youto keep the child as our own? Does that sum it all up in a nutshell?"

"Hardly," I said, "but for now, yes"

"But for now yes? When exactly were you going to tellto learn ould happen in my own home? When"

"Please, Samuel Stop it!" I cried

He glared His lips firers across the desk atat him

"Stop it? Stop it, you say? I know I'reat s better than I do here, but I know I'm still your husband, the father of your children All I ask, Olivia, is you treat er and thu a pinch of salt

He paused, waiting for my response