The basement door had slammed shut two nights earlier. Their stepmother, Corinne Haldane, had not raised her voice when she locked them inside. She never needed to shout. Her calm tone always made Rylan feel smaller than anyone else ever could.
She had caught him giving Pippa the last piece of bread from the kitchen. Without changing her expression, she grabbed his arm and dragged him toward the stairs. “Stealing has consequences,” she said quietly.
Then she released him.
When Pippa rushed after him, the slight shove Corinne gave the child sent them both tumbling down the steps. The crack in his leg echoed through the basement.
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