Not A Small-Town Girl

Chapter 12-1

"Got your breakfast ready, sweetheart," Howard called from the stairs. "Your mom had the kitchen whip up all your favorites."

"Thanks, Dad. But I’m not hungry." Danielle’s hangover pulsed behind her eyes.

Last night’s memories crashed over her-throwing money at a corporate titan, demanding he carry her home... She buried her burning face in her hands. ’Why did I turn into such a hot mess? I never act like that drunk.

But of course, "not hungry" didn’t exist in a parent’s vocabulary, so before she knew it, her dad had already pulled her to the breakfast table.

Audrey seethed in the background, her pristine mask slipping just enough to reveal raw fury at being ignored.

entrance exam?" Howard said, watching his daughter eat so delicately with a proud grin on his

afternoon, I guess," Danielle mumbled between bites,

the university to support Danielle!" Audrey said, her voice bright and innocent, like she was the most thoughtful sister in

Darlings like something out of a dream. Its old, grand buildings seemed to whisper stories

of mystery that made it feel like more than

Audrey. "Another entrance test? Isn’t Miss Darling already a student here?" His mind raced to uncomfortable conclusions about the possibility

here for our other daughter," Howard explained,

of Danielle before he masked his reaction. ’Since

forward to studying at Moreno

rich, Ryan thought. ’She wouldn’t show up before, and now she wants another entrance test? Since when is she a Darling?’ He had so

Moreno," he said diplomatically. "You’ll be taking three core subjects plus your