She didn’t know what she felt like doing. Screaming? Crying? All she knew was that her emotions were bubbling over and they were making her feel out of control.

“I want to leave now.”

“Don’t want to upset you?—”

“Well, you’re not doing a good job.”

He eyed her for a long moment. “Can see that. Just want you to know that your Little side is part of who you are. And who you are is fucking amazing, Immy.”

How was she supposed to be mad at him when he said something like that?

“I can’t let myself . . . I can’t be like that . . . I can’t. It’s wrong.”

“So Cat’s wrong for being the way she is?”

“Of course not! Cat is amazing! But she is beautiful and kind and crazy. She doesn’t need anyone. She can do everything herself. So can Maeve.”

“And you can’t?” He tilted his head to the side. “Don’t you think you’re capable of doing anything?”

“I’m not,” she said harshly. “I can’t do anything! I’m useless!”

“Immy?” The voice came from the doorway and she glanced up, her breath coming in sharp pants.

Why was Jenner there? And Abe and Sampson? They weren’t due back until tomorrow. Isaiah was locked away upstairs, which is why she’d brought out the Christmas decorations tonight.

“Immy, why would you say you’re useless?” Jenner asked, sounding horrified. He rushed forward, glaring at Tobias. “What the fuck did you do?”

“He didn’t do anything!” she cried, even though that wasn’t actually true. But she didn’t want Jenner to be mad at Tobias. Even if she kind of still was.

Who you are is fucking amazing, Immy.

Those words were sweet and they were amazing and she just wasn’t sure that she believed them.

Because she wasn’t amazing like everyone else. They all had these awesome careers. They all shone like bright stars. She was the one who was a burden.

“Then why the fuck are you so upset?” Sampson snarled, grabbing hold of Tobias’s shoulder.

Tobias stood and swung around. “Don’t fucking touch me.”

Oh no.

No, no.

“He wouldn’t be touching you if you weren’t upsetting Immy,” Jenner said.

Tobias turned to Jenner. “I was upsetting her because I was pushing her to admit who she is. To understand why she is so scared of showing her Little side, of embracing it. Something you all have been too scared to do. You’ve let her live in denial and maybe fear.”

“Fear?” Jenner said starkly. “What do you mean, she lives in fear?”

“Immy?” Abe asked. “You’ve been living in fear?”

“No! Of course not!” She stood up and immediately started shifting around, fidgeting.

“You’re lying,” Jenner said. “You can never stay still when you’re lying. Immy, talk to us.”

“Immy, why do you suppress your Little?” Abe asked. “Are you scared to admit to being a Little?”

“I don’t . . . I’m not scared.”