Tessa finally saw it. Her father had been hiding money. All this time. While she pawned her jewelry, while she lay awake sick with worry over unpaid bills, while she tried to survive the bankruptcy he caused, there had been stolen cash waiting. He had lied to her. Even in the middle of their poverty.

The shock must have shown on her face, because Charles smiled, satisfied and cruel.

“You’re so naive,” he said, dripping contempt. “Just like your mother.”

That stopped Tessa ...