Her soaked canvas shoes squeaked lou

crowded corridors. She reache

looking at her little brother, Simon. He lay t

to her, holding a

told her that Simon's trust fun

or's sleeve. She begged

hospital administration gave the ord

She backed away until her sho

and buried her face in he

hone vibrated

ame of her aunt, Giselle

forcing her voice to ste

, arrogant voice

Long Island right now," Giselle orde

ed her teeth

at Simon through the glass, and

ptop from her bag. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, the rapidly scrolling lines of

walk in the rain, Serena pushed open the

nd her cousin Sylvia sat on a velvet

own. Her eyes lingered on the

a a piece of trash who spe

r. She stared dir

Serena asked, her

acup down on the s

going to take Sylvia's place an

knew the Beaumont heir, Felix, was a cripp

ked over and pointed a m

" Sylvia spat. "That garbage

She turned around, ready to

ked up a manila folder and slammed i

d at the document. Her pu

y transfer consen

ed the marriage, the Sterling family would cut o

ard. She stopped i

ingernails dug so hard into her pa

rd in the shoulder. She told her to w

force, she could easily snap Sylvia's neck right here in this lavish room. She fo

pale, smiling face in the iso

ther clock ticked in the corner, coun

nger was gone. Only a terrify

he movement was so fast and viole

th Giselle. Her voice

e cond

laying on her lips. She assumed Se

She agreed to the absurd substitute mar