Beauty And The Beast

Zoe did not know what she was doing lying about her perfectly alive child being dead. Henry had caught her off guard, so she just told him whatever came to mind at that point.

At least he would leave her alone now if it was Maria he was after. All she had to do was stay away from Henry and the company. Zoe was not sure yet how she would deal with Mario, but she would cross that bridge when she got to it.

It was almost midnight and she had to tuck Maria in early for school the next day. Maria was already in her pajamas, holding her teddy bear with both hands.

"Can you read me a bedtime story, mommy?" Maria asked with a small voice and yawned loudly.

"Of course. Come here." Zoe lifted her from the floor easily and laid her down on the bed, tucking her under the sheets. "Which one do you want to hear?"

"Beauty and the Beast!" Maria chirped.

"You have heard that one a hundred times."

"I want to hear it again."

Zoe was smiling. "Why do you like it so much?"

"I like how the wicked