Ravenna's POV
Their words were cutting closer now, and I could feel my pulse pounding in my ears. I glanced at Sunny, who was shrinking into her chair, clutching her bear.
"Please," I said softly. "Both of you—"
Marissa turned back to me before I could finish. "Ravenna, listen to me. You don't owe anyone permission to do what's best for your daughter. If you want her to grow up normal, this is part of it. Fresh air. Laughter. Meeting other kids."
Lucien's jaw tightened. "You're not going to guilt her into this."
"I'm not guilting her," Marissa said. "I'm talking sensibly to her. Something you might try sometime when relating to people you call your family."
That did it. Lucien's hand hit the armrest of his wheelchair, not hard but sharp enough to make the sound echo. "Y
