Hidden Leverage

Brenda glanced at Melanie. “See, I didn't tell on you.”

Melanie moved forward to pull Valerie into a hug, hoping to distract her.

Valerie avoided Melanie's hug and smiled at her with narrowed eyes. “Maybe you'd prefer it if I told Nathan about this?”

Melanie instantly cowered.

Valerie plopped herself onto the couch. “Well, Brenda?”

From the start, Brenda disapproved of keeping Valerie in the dark