Chapter 39

“No thanks,” Natalie said quickly, waving off the offer.

The phone was worth a pretty penny, easily a grand or more, and she had just seen the rich kids at school showing off the latest models.

Brian had assumed that since Natalie was attending a boarding school, Audrey would have provided her with a mobile phone.

“To avoid situations like today,” Brian said succinctly.

Once Brian made up his mind about something, there was no changing it. Realizing this, Natalie didn’t protest any further. She rummaged through her bag, pulled out a report card, and handed it to him. “This is my midterm report.”

Brian had always known Natalie to be diligent and obedient, with her standardized test scores ranking third in the city. The family took pride in her achievements, and Audrey and Natalie never had to feel ashamed. To Brian, what mattered most was that Natalie worked hard and got good grades.

True to form, Natalie had outdone herself again, scoring first in her class.

“What’s that on your hand?” His concern, however, wasn’t her academics but the deep cut on her left hand as she clutched the report card.

“Just a little accident while slicing an apple,” Natalie said, pulling her hand back subconsciously. “It’s healing up fine.”

a bit of a disaster. She was the type to somehow always end up with mysterious bruises or cuts,

Brian pulled out an antiseptic from a hidden compartment in his car and grabbed her hand to disinfect the wound before applying

setting sun casting a soft glow through the car window, shadowing his face with

Maybe it was because she had started coming home

had decided she should board in the

report card and got out

him pull out another phone, dial a

a distance, “Brian, I’ll wait for you to finish the parent–teacher conference so we can go home

non–committal smile, turned, and entered the school

1/2

11:15

Chapter 39

among the other

from a fitful sleep, sweaty and disoriented, to the incessant ringing of the

She stumbled to the video phone and

answer.

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