Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath

In just a few short days, Susanna had lost so much weight that it was noticeable.

Stella felt a pang of sympathy as she called out, "Susie."

Susanna paused in mixing some medication and looked up at Stella, tears starting to well up and spill over.

"Star," she sniffed.

Stella quickly closed the distance between them. "What's wrong? Why the tears?"

It seemed something else must have happened the previous night. Stella thought about all the mishaps that had befallen Susanna since she started spending time with Hull. It was like she was a magnet for trouble.

Susanna wiped her nose and said, "Thank goodness you're here. I almost didn't make it to see the light of day."

She collapsed into Stella's arms, sobbing.

Barnaby, who had just walked in, heard Susanna's dramatic statement and couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Seriously?"

What did she mean by "almost didn't make it"? Surely she wasn't that fragile? Last night had been intense, sure, but nobody had lashed out at her. Maybe they had said some harsh words, but now it sounded like she'd narrowly escaped death.

imagination, he thought. It was good he wasn't planning on having a girlfriend anytime soon. Poor

gently patting her back. "There, there. It's

help but wonder why Hull couldn't be gentler with her.

much more easygoing when he was with Ronald. Maybe it was the situations he dragged

as she cried, looking

all in the

in the past. It's not over.

terrifying. She wouldn't have lived to see Stella again if

"No way. Hull would never let anything happen

Hull didn't listen to others, but when Ronald

"It was because of him that

Stella was shocked. "What?"

nearly died because

guard. "Did

the short

a mishap with a towel after they moved

choked back more tears. "I almost