ind. The notebook in front of me blurred, and I

aring at me in open disbelief. Her gaze traveled slowly from head to toe, wide

ess-than-successful exam session, and I had a

fectly made-up nose. I still couldn't understand why she had dressed

anded, already rifling through my wardrobe as if sh

sses will have to do. I'll stop by the optom

rself and back again, looking at my awful black T-shirt and leggings as if comparing us in some invisible mirror.

ance was enough to know it wouldn't work. My waist was much slimmer than hers, while my hips were wi

ar in a recent runway collection. Snatching the soft triangle from her hands, I tied

laimed. "Nadya, I know it's a funeral, but all our acqu

my purse from the table. "Let's go

Both Darvins will be th

childhood. I despised them. As soon as the funeral and the reception were over, I would leave immedia

," she said irritably, nu

he saw us. "What are you planning to do today?" Mom asked as

, then repeated more f

a mysterious smile. "By the way,

ad be back f

ek. He misses you. You

more years, and then I'll come b

aid hesitantly, fidgeting with her purse. She was clearly nervous,

er, no," I said firmly. "I only do it because I

t... never mind. W

ed into the parking lot of the

r-just as kind, just as warm. He had built an immense fortune and somehow remained human. Business ruins people, but it hadn't broken him. H

wo spoiled, arrogant heirs who believed they

f the crowd. The funeral procession moved slowly along the path, and I walked near the end. When it stopped, and people

ears. Mom appeared beside me just in time, placing her hands

me like a li

s I scanned the crowd,

they

rvin b

ing his gaze over me without shame. Their grandfather was being buried, and th

aside," I said, forcing my way backward thro

you need help?" she a

ar. It's just... to

f you feel worse, ask me to

headed towa

that moment was

rother was

ed under my breath. Maybe he felt u

ed my pace, weaving between rows of gravestones. At o

s when I ran straight into an obstacle

ou think yo