Chapter 9

• DAVE
• “Dad,” I said, my voice sharp, barely holding back the frustration that burned in my chest, “why don’t you clean up your own mess instead of handing your daughter off like some bargaining chip?” I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms over my chest, frowning at him. The words echoed in my mind even as I spoke them. The love of my heart, I added silently, though I wouldn’t dare say it out loud. Evie. My Evie. How could he even think of giving her away to someone else?
• Dad sighed, running a hand over his face like the difficulties of the world rested on his shoulders with a weary look on his face.