Mary was on the cusp of her 80th birthday, a milestone that seemed both monumental and just another day in her long life of ups and downs.

She had lived through storms and even stirred up a few herself.

Reaching this age, she was as crafty and sharp as they come.

Mary had a knack for playing her family like a chessboard, always staying several moves ahead.

From manipulating the press to force Maddox and Jennifer to adopt Leanne, to orchestrating moral dilemmas that led to Leanne's marriage to Curtis, Mary was always in control.

her scheming against her flesh and blood, it was Leanne, the adopted granddaughter from outside

and evasion, but in front of Leanne, she often found herself at a

trying to reach out to Leanne with a warmth that belied her usual demeanor. "How was your day out? Did Curtis feed you too much? Your face looks all plump and cute. Come here,

Mary's outstretched hand hanging and her smile fading into a

really happened to my parents? Please don't lie

love and guilt, "Darling, let's not talk about that. Can't things go back to how they

painful than any harsh word could ever be. As she

on Hanley's hand," she choked out. "The man who kidnapped us... I never forgot the mark on

and struggling to remain standing, finally collapsed onto the couch. The truth hovered before Leanne, fragile as a thin sheet

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