inallysettledownwithanoldfriend''''''''sson.Butfatewasn''''''''tontheirside.Afterafewfailedattempts,theygaveup.

Reya,atfirst,wasahandful.

Traumatizedbywhatevershehadehewoods,shehadlosthervoidckedevebasiclifeskills—notevenonparwithathree-year-old.Moxienrolledherinaspecialeducatiram,butwithiheteacherssentherback.

"Yourkidisperfeormal.Stopwastingourtime."

ItwasinthatsingleweekthatLuoticedhissedsurprise.

Thesy,dark-skinnedgirlhadgrownfairer,putonsomeweight.Herfeaturesremainedpin,butwhenshesmiled,herdimplesturadorable.

AdorableinawaythateerilyresembledthechildhoodphotoofthatotherReya—thevictim—hehadrievingmother''''''''shome.

Moxiadoredthegirl,spoilihgifts.Later,afteraluckystreakiockmarket,shethrewLuoutofthemasterbedroomandredecorateditintoafairytalesanctuary—hardwoodfloors,plushrugs,aprincessbed.Adreamfitforachildwhohadneverhadone.

Luxurynurturesbeauty.UnderMoxi''''''''scarefulhand,Reyablossomedintoagraceful,delicateyoungwoman.

Whenevershevisited,Moxiwouldughandsay,"LookhowourReyatur!Andwhosedoingwasthat?Mine!"

Lualwaysrolledhiseyes.Asifhehadn''''''''ttributedatall.

Butthetruthwas,withhisworkasahomicidecaptain,hecouldn''''''''ttributemucheveried.Hewasoftencalledawayinthedeadofnight,disappearingfordays,onlytostumblehome—exhausted,sweaty,sometimesevenstaihblood—beforecolpsingintobed.

Morethanonce,MoxisuggestedReyaelivewithherpermaly.