cheek, shock twisting his

d disbelief. "Averie, are you

as her back as she walked away, sh

tears streaking down her face, and made he

her-not as Jorge's wife, but as n

nd dim, a mirror of the e

rom beneath the bed and began packi

e left by her on the bed, Jorge's only gi

lap after he had vanished on her birthda

an apology for skipping her sickbed to

as a clumsy attempt to cover up how often she had b

ner. Jorge's loyalty had ne

She hesitated for a heartbeat, casting a final glance at the two boxes

s, her shoulders slumped beneath the wei

pt. "Rebecca, why does Jorge's maid behave like this? She can't even be bothered t

e last person she wanted to see-Rebecca, t

thes, wrists and necks

epmother treated them terribly, but Av

l innocence. "Mia, you're mistaken. This isn't

at Averie was Jorge's wife, bu

latant pro

ger, maid, whatever. They're both j

the suitcase handle until her n

p standing there, I'll tell Jorge you're slacki

reath, the ache in her chest

show her vulnerability

ay even. "I don't work for

weet expression shar

e Jorge's wife, I'll let you keep your job. After all, you've served the Hardy family so w

ed, each word striki

vior. She had known all along that Averie was Jorge's wife, yet still treated her

elp, he would simply respond, "Averie, Rebecca is just a girl who's two years younger t

reath to speak, Rebecca leaned close and whispered, "Averie, does it tear you apart

You're a fool if you think he'll come back for you afte

r into a breakdown, and she fought to stay c

ep Jorge fooled. Lies about your stepmother mistreating you won't hol

ed, anger flashing i

and headed straight for the door, determine

e a tall figure des

cca

onto Averie's wrist and

t, she crashed

e air. "You monster! How

stomach as tears streamed down her cheeks. "Ms. Peters, I only asked yo

ene, pressed her lips together for a mome

voice rang out,

did you just d