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Her married name.

A name she changed twenty-two years ago before adopting the name Elodie Carmichael.

My heart pounds violently as my hand crumples the paper.

Melody Rose. The name is a stain on my vision now. I can see it even after I slam my eyes shut to focus on my breaths.

Melody Rose.

The woman who left my father.

Melody Rose.

The woman who gave birth to me and left me in that house.

A torrent of emotions winds around my windpipe untilI’m coaching myself through manual breathing.

Melody Rose.

My mother.

The woman who chose herself.

And now she’s dropping envelopes at my door like she didn’t disappear from my life more than two decades ago.

Soon, a whirring sound fills my ears.

What the fuck?

What the fuck?

What the fuck?

No matter what I do, my inhales feel like I’m sucking them through a narrow straw. It’s not enough oxygen. Not enoughanything.

My breaths come out in gasps, but my tears don’t get a chance to fall because the unmistakable sound of glass shattering downstairs interrupts my pity party.

Without thinking, I jump to my feet, shove the folder under my pillow and whip my bedroom door open.

Chapter 29

Uninvited

ADONIS

Alonzo: Just sent you something

Me: ?

If it’s another man putting their hands on Delilah, I already know I don’t want to see it. Trying to find her last failed arrangement has been hell enough.

Any solace I felt after dealing with the first two was short lived when I remembered Samuel Kirk is still walking around, untouched and unfazed after he dragged Delilah through the living room while her brother and dad watched.

He’s the only one she was too hurt to fight and there’s a special type of hell that simmers in my veins every time I think about it.

Only a week and a half has passed since I asked Alonzoand Victor to hunt him down, but every second feels like too long after the shit I saw on that tape.

Alonzo: It’s not Sammy but I think you’ll still want to see it