Chương 38: 38. The game begins.

Olivia's mind spun at the thought of her father being here—apologizing. It felt worse than anything she could have imagined. She sat at her table, staring at the small bottle that stood innocuously before her. How could she trust her father to deliver an antidote to Devon? What if it wasn't? What if it was something far more sinister? The questions gnawed at her, and the thought of testing it herself surfaced. But on whom could she test it?

She reached for the gift he'd claimed was from his wife. Olivia refused to acknowledge that woman as her mother. A mother? She scoffed. The woman didn't deserve such a title. She had never cared for her, never shown an ounce of maternal affection.

Olivia unwrapped the package, revealing freshly baked cookies. The aroma was familiar, almost comforting—every ingredient detectable, just as she had liked them when her home had been a safer, kinder place. When both her father and mother had believed she might one day find her voice.