Chapter 178

Grace arched an eyebrow, realizing Maria was just another person Alice had deceived. After Maria finished speaking, she sank back into her seat, her voice trembling. "Alice was always such a shy girl. When she lived with us, we cared for her, especially Taylor. But for reasons we never understood, the other girls never liked her. So we did everything we could to protect and keep her happy." Tears began to fall as she continued, "Taylor might not have been the sharpest, but he was kind and pure-hearted. He'd fight anyone to protect Alice, often coming home bruised and battered. Six years ago, he was injured protecting her and fell unconscious. Alice blamed herself and said she would take on multiple jobs to make things right. "Then, somehow, the Lamberts took her in. At first, we were so relieved for her, but things soon fell apart. My husband, Randy, got caught up in it all and was sentenced to 20 years. I begged the Lamberts for help, but they turned their backs on us. They wouldn'