ANGEL
I forgot how to breathe. “Auction?”
Was he still going to sell me?
“You heard me,” Daniel confirmed.
Panic seized my chest. “No. No, Daddy, please. Is it because of Kayla?” Tears stung in my eyes. “Because I failed your test? I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, I’ll do better, I promise, please don’t send me away—”
“It’s not because of Kayla.” He interrupted, his other hand came up to frame my face, forcing me to look at him even though my vision was blurred with tears. “Listen to me. Angel, it’s not a punishment.” His hands stilled in my hair.
“Then why?” I shook my head. Why wasn’t he keeping me? Even after everything, was I still not enough to keep him satisfied?
“Angel.” His voice was firm. “Look at me.”
I blinked back anguished tears to meet his eyes, and what I saw there stole my
