Knock, knock.

There was a knock at the door.

Mr. Newman asked outside the door, “Honey, are you ready? Hurry up. We’re going to be late.”

Mrs. Newman gave up on trying to punish Camryn again. After all, the plan tonight was to sell Camryn. If she punished her daughter too badly, she would not be able to sell her at a good price since others would not like her.

“We’re ready.”

Mrs. Newman said to Camryn, “Get out!”

Camryn reached for her cane and was just about to walk when her cane was snatched from her hands by her mother. Mrs. Newman tossed the cane aside and said, “You don’t need a walking stick when attending a banquet.

“Just follow me.”

Mrs. Newman knew that Camryn could follow along so long as Camryn could hear her voice and footsteps.

Camryn fell silent and quietly followed Mrs. Newman out of the room.

Mr. Newman waited impatiently at the room door. When he saw the mother and daughter come out, his eyes lit up. He looked at his stepdaughter for a long time before saying