ard stood for a moment, his chest heaving, before turning on his h

was suddenly

a few feet away, her body rigid. The hatred in he

rd Nora, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "You w

flinching. "I simply pre

s just a child. She doesn't know how cruel people can be. Y

ime, twisting the narrative so that Olivi

rose, cracking with emotion. "She is my daughter! Who are you? You s

r biological mother. A woman who should have been her pro

detachment. She recognized this kind of i

d softly. "I u

wn off by Nora's calm

y theatrical quality, a cadence that felt centuries old. "How ex

ed. "What are yo

w and precise. "A daughter who wears the right clothes, attends the right schoo

's face t

he flaw. The original item that doesn't match the decor. My very exi

ine's face. Nora had found th

ice dropping to a whisper. "You defend her because she is t

thick with sarcasm. It was a slap in t

, but no words came out. Her defenses had been st

gave a slight nod, as if dismissing a

posture impeccable. Every step was a

et out a choked gasp. N

the landing an

Her face was ashen, her breathing shallow. A maid

n't dying, then turned and walked to her room. Sh