He Let Our Daughter Die for Twenty-Three Dollars novel · Chapter 21 of 24

Chapter 21: The Drawing

Annabel's POV

"You can't be here," Brooke said again, louder, and two women in diamonds turned around.

"I'm on the list," I said.

"You are not. Mother told me to cross you out."

"Then she was wrong."

Behind her, a calm voice said, "She's on mine."

Sheldon came across the lobby in his black tie.

His face was gray and tight, and he did not look at the baby on Colter's arm.

"Sheldon," Brooke said, relieved. "Tell her. She's making a scene."

"Mrs. Eccleston is the guest of honor tonight," Sheldon said. "Let her in, Brooke."

Her mouth fell open.

"You're choosing her over your own family?"

"I'm choosing what's true," he said, and walked us past her into the ballroom.

Three hundred people sat at round tables under chandeliers.

On the stage a banner read Family First, and an Eccleston Foundation plaque stood on an easel.

Dennis sat at the front table in a tuxedo that was too tight.

He didn't look at me.

Carol stood at the podium in a navy gown, with a silver pin of a heart on the shoulder.

She was already talking.

"When you foster a child, you don't borrow her," Carol said into the microphone. "You keep her. You love her through every season, and you learn that family isn't the people you're born to."

The room murmured in warm approval.

"I have raised two of the finest young people in this state. One is our host tonight, and I am so proud."

Sheldon stood very still at the edge of the stage.

"And one," Carol said, her eyes finding me at the back of the room, "is my Annabel. Oh, honey. You came."

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