“Ms. Wood, to them, whether Maverick and Clarissa live or die doesn’t matter at all. What matters is the house is gone—tell me, isn’t that pathetic?”

Before Talia could answer me, Sean spoke first. His voice was cold, loaded with disdain. “He’s not pathetic.”

Anyone with ears could hear the indifference and contempt in Sean’s tone.

“Exactly. He’s not pathetic at all!” Talia said. “There are countless people in this world who ...