Chapter 11 Here For Me

• "I did, Mr. Knox," Mrs. Ess said, stepping forward with her chin high. "I was disciplining my daughter. She embarrassed our family by acting recklessly in public."
• "What?" Knox murmured, his voice dropping to a dangerous, icy whisper. His fingers gently resting against Taylor’s chin, his eyes completely ignoring Ess.
• Mrs. Ess sensed the sudden, suffocating tension in the room and quickly tried to smooth things. "Well... that's what I thought at the time, but seeing you here, it seems I was entirely mistaken."