"So why didn't you tell me this earlier?"
"I was scared. And I thought maybe if I could protect you, if I could give you a good life here, it would be enough."
"Nahh, you didn't protect me, Mom. You allowed Dad to do what he wanted, to control my life like it was his, and allowed Cassandra to get away with so many things I lost track."
"I know, my dear, and I'm sorry."
I took a deep breath. "How didn't I see all these?" I asked no one in particular.
"How could you have? He's very good at maintaining appearances."
"Like he did with you."
"Like he's probably trying to do with you now, with this murder charge."
The thought sent chills down my spine. "You think he's behind the private investigator's death?"
"I think your father is behind a lot of deaths, Layla. I think he's far more dangerous than either of us ever imagined."
"But why would he kill Kendall?"
"What was he investigating?"
