Anna's POV
"Uncle Marcus, aren't you being a bit dramatic?" I locked eyes with him, silently pleading for him to read between the lines._Don't say these terrifying things in front of my family._ My heart raced as sweat formed on my palms. I was caught between fearing the truth and protecting my family from it.
But Marcus seemed determined to make me uncomfortable. Ignoring my warning glance, he continued, "Anna's fall wasn't an accident. I can't leave her in America with a clear conscience.
I'm sure you're both equally concerned about her safety."
Anger bubbled in my chest, but I couldn't express it. He knew that only if my grandmother and mother insisted would I agree to leave.
"What? Not an accident?"
Grandmother's face drained of color, her hands trembling visibly. My heart ached watching her fragility surface so suddenly.
Mother's voice was nearly unrecognizable. "Annie, what's going on?" Her eyes filled with terror-exactly what I'd hoped to prevent.
