of the study flew

eports, his brow furrowed in annoyance. "What is

ad, you have to listen to me. Annette and Chloe-they're trying to force me to marr

dge of his nose, a gesture of deep weariness. "I'm aware o

hest as if to hold herself together. "Best solution? Do you have any idea what they

emotion. "I refuse to let anyone destroy the last thing she left me. I knew the Vances valued purity above all else

was replaced by a cold, business-like mask. "Do you have any proof of

in her chest. He didn't care abou

ght this disgrace upon yourself with your own scandalous behavior, yet you have the au

mpered me? Mom's funeral shroud wasn't even cold before you brought your mistress and her daughter into this house, letting them ruthlessly rule over us!

n moved so fast she didn't have time to reac

p echoed in the sile

ek. Her lip split, and she tasted the metallic tang of blood. But the physic

tared at her father, at the man who had just strike

k in his eyes, but he quickly hardened his expressio

eo's medical bills. One word from me, and the hospital halts all treatments for his congenital heart defect. Those specialized procedures cost an absolute fortune every month, Ella. Without my f

h from her soul. It was a leash he had kept around

ing, but she refused to let them fall.

s. "A lesson," she repeated, the words

but each word was a shard of ice. "I'll marry him. Bu

gone, replaced by a chi

nd walked out of the study. Her ba

e twisting in his gut. He quickly drow

the wood, exchanged a triumphant glance at the sound of the slap. As Ella walked past t

, her back against the wood, and finally, the silent tears came. She

ing left inside but a cold, hard resolve.