Starcrossed (Starcrossed 1)

happy, don?t you??

Daphne stared at Helen, shocked that her obedient daughter had

finally expressed a mind of her own, then looked off to the side distractedly,

like she was listening to a faraway sound.

?It?s done,? she said in a brisk voice, snapping out of her momentary

trance. ?I can?t make any promises about his relationship

with Kate working out, but Jerry?s heart is his own to give or to

keep as he sees fit.?

?It?s about time,? Helen said coldly.

?All of this pain I?ve caused, I did it to protect you. And it worked.

So I?m not sorry for any of it,? Daphne said, giving Helen a sad

smile before turning and walking away.

Helen shut the door and wandered back to the rest of the family,

forehead furrowed in thought. As soon as she stepped into the living

room, Lucas?s head snapped around to look at her. He gestured

for her to come to him. Although she knew it was the last thing that

she should do, it was the only thing she wanted to do.

?I have to go home,? she told him as soon as she got to him, trying

not to shake too much. ?I left a good-bye note for my father on

my desk when I thought . . .? She broke off and had to take a

breath. ?Anyway, I have to get rid of it before he wakes up and

finds it. He?s been through too much already.?

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Lucas balled his right hand into a fist and shoved it into his pocket.

Helen had never seen him make that gesture before, and she

realized he was doing it to stop himself from taking her hand.

?Let?s go, then,? Lucas said, turning his face away from hers.

?But I thought you and I were staying away from each other??

She broke off awkwardly.

Lucas shook his head decisively. ?Creon had Pandora drag