“Who are you calling shameless? Say it again if you dare!”

    Wendy’s eyes reddened. Her mother had suffered enough already, all thanks to this woman, and now Wanda had the gall toe to their doorstep shouting insults?

    “So what if I say it? My husband is dead, my daughter’s father is dead, and unless you give me answers I’m not leaving!” bWanda /bscreamed, her voice hoarse with rage. Tonya was crying too, shouting, “My dad is dead! He was fine yesterday–how could he die in your houseb?/b”

    “You killed bhim/b! You murdered my husband, and I’ll make you pay!”

    Wanda’s fury exploded. She lunged forward and wrapped her hands around Wendy’s throat.

    Caitlin was faster. She shoved Wanda back, shielding Wendy with her body. “I was there. I saw everything. Your husband showed up drunk, started a fight, beat his ex–wife, and stabbed an innocent woman. His death was an ident. No one killed him. If you don’t believe me, ask the police. But if you keep causing trouble here, I’ll personally escort you both to the station.”

    The crowd of onlookers murmured. The truth was out–Landon had been drunk, violent, and babusive/b, beven /bstabbing someone else. A man like that well, maybe he deserved the bend /bhe got.

    But Wanda and Tonya wouldn’t hear it. “We’ll wait for the police report,” Wanda spat. “If you killed my husband, then blood will pay for blood.”

    The two women left in tears, Wanda still muttering curses under her breath. Without Landon, her days offort were over. Hispany was copsing, and she, aging and without beauty or wealth, had nothing left to cling to.

    Once they were gone, Caitlin raised her voice bto /bthe neighbors. “Alright, show’s over. Go on home.”

    The crowd dispersed. Caitlin brought Wendy upstairs, only to find the apartment sealed by police tape. They couldn’t go in.

    “Come on. Let’s head to the hospital.”

    They hurried there together.

    Outside the emergency room, Caitlin spotted Simon slumped on a bench, his face pale and rigid. On the other side sat Eliza and the Vanderbilts, their beyes /bred from crying.

    “Sebastian, Caitlin, Vincent greeted quietly.

    Caitlin nodded, then went straight to Eliza. “Don’t worry too much. Molly’s strong–she’ll make it.”

    Eliza gave a shaky nod. Caitlin sighed softly, then turned to Simon. “You stay here. I’ll take Wendy to see Reba. When Molly’s surgery is done, I’ll be bback/b.”

    Leaving Sebastian to stay with Simon, Caitlin led Wendy to Reba’s ward.

    Rebay unconscious, bandaged and pale. Wendy sat beside the bedb, /bsilent, staring at her mother’s face.

    Caitlin bknew /bhow heavy Wendy’s heart was. There wasn’t much bshe /bcould do except sit with her.

    Her phone buzzed. Benjamin.

    “Caitlin, can you reach Wendy? Her phone’s off, I can’t find her.”

    Caitlin stepped into the hall. “Something happened at Wendy’s house. We’re at the hospital now. You should

    “I’ll be right there.”

    He didn’t ask for details, just dropped everything and rushed over.

    Twenty minutester, Benjamin arrived breathless, spotting Caitlin outside the ward. “What happened? Is she hurt?”

    Caitlin didn’t let him go in. She pulled him aside to the end of the corridor and told him everything about the Smith family incident.

    “What? Landon’s dead?” Benjamin was stunned.

    What was supposed to be a happy day had turned into bloodshed. He clenched bhis /bjaw.

    “Go see Wendy. She needs you. She’s been through a lot.”

    bFor /bCaitlin, blood and violence had be grimly routine. But for Wendy, soft–hearted and sensitive, this was ba /btrauma bshe /bbmight /bnever shake.

    “Alright.”

    Benjamin frownedb, /bhis eyes dark, and headed for the ward. Caitlin didn’t follow–she turned back down toward the emergency room.

    Two officers were now standing outside. Caitlin stopped beside Sebastian. “What’s going on?”

    “They’re asking Simon toe to the station. Standard procedure,” Sebastian exined,

    Simon rose slowly, his eyes locked on the emergency room doors. He didn’t want to leave while Molly was. still inside.

    Caitlin read his thoughts and touched his arm. “Go. We’ll be here. She’ll be alright.”

    He nodded and left with the police.

    It was only natural–everyone involved in the incident had to be questioned. Caitlin and Wendy’s statements weren’t enough; the full truth had to be established.

    The rest waited in silence. A nurse came out halfway through, and they hurried to bask/b. “Her abdominal binjury /bis severe, second degree. There’s organ damage. The doctors are operating. It will take some time.”

    Eliza broke bdown /bagain, tears spilling. Between sobs she warned everyone, “Don’t tell Beatrice. She just got out of the hospital. She can’t btake /banother shock. Do you understand?”

    “Yes, Mom. We won’t say anything.” Sebastian promised.

    Everyone nodded grimly, the weight of worry pressing down on them all,

    Meanwhile, in the ward, Wendy stayed beside her mother, watching her breathing, watching the bandages. Her heart ached at what their home life had be, at how broken everything now was.

    The door opened behind her. She thought it was Caitlin returning and didn’t even look up.

    “You alrightb?/b”

    The voice was deep, familiar. She startled, ncing up to see Benjamin standing there. Her heart skipped, and she quickly lowered her gaze again.

    Benjamin studied the girl hunched on the chair, her eyes red, her face tight with pain. His chest tightened with pity. He pulled a chair closer and sat beside herb. /b

    “She’s going to be fine,” he said gently. “Don’t cry. This will pass.”

    The man who so often spoke with sharp wit was, for once, tender. He slid an arm around her shoulders.

    “If you want to cry,” he murmured, “my shoulder’s right here. Want to use it?”

    ?