Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Alyssa didn't question why Maggie was crying nor pressured her.

"I-I just never expected that you guys would be s-so nice to me..." Maggie choked out, her eyes swollen red. "I know. you guys are only doing this because I can. can testify against David Schmidt. But I'm. still so thankful to you all. for respecting me."

Maggie's tear-stained faces and stuttering words broke both Alyssa and Jasper's hearts. Their breaths stuck in their throats as if caught in a vice.

Xavier's brows knitted together. He had to hold himself back from releasing his fury.

At just 17 years old, Maggie had already suffered wounds of pain that seemed impossible to heal. It was all David Schmidt's fault!

If David didn't pay for this, who else could?

you all because you're a witness to the case, Maggie. Every kind-hearted young girl in this world deserves respect." Alyssa embraced Maggie into her arms, her own eyes reddening. "Tragedy led us to one another, but please

quietened while Alyssa consoled her. She slowly recovered after sipping warm tea

you thought things through, Maggie?" Alyssa asked, an arm wrapped around

going head-on against the Schmidt family until the very end. Mr. Jasper and I will do our best

or

who gave me the courage to face all this?" Maggie's eyes were clear even though she was still in the last throes of crying. "It was Ms.

Alyssa's eyes widened in surprise. Her heart

had long expected this—as if

knew women best,

bravado