hea

night wind stung my exposed skin, and the strap of my backpack carved a painful mark into my shoul

of Berg Manor. They were unlocked, as always, a testame

The house was a monument to wealth and status, all sharp angles, dark wo

osed around the cold brass handle of

ity. A fire crackled and blazed cheerfully in the gran

tepmother, Giselle, stood by the window, meticulously trimming the stems of a bouquet of white roses in a crysta

that rushed in with me

arp, displeased line. "Alethea. For God's sake, close

of paternal disapproval. "What is the meaning of this? Why are you

tying smile curved her lips as she rose and glided toward

," she cooed, reachin

hiding my wrist wrapped in its soaked bandage behind my backpack. I knew Katrina too

her brow creasing almost impercepti

r thing?" she continued, her vo

lank mask, letting her see t

" she sniffed, her tone turning smug. "I suppose it's all for the best. After everything that hap

all mountain, were beautifully wrapped boxes tied with silk ribbons. I

ood m

tight that my nails dug deep into my palms, drawing blood, I was certain. I could even feel

s made before delivering a selfish lie. He rose to his feet and walked to

ust understand, everything I did, I did for your own good. That marriage was the best opportun

grateful. You single-handedly destroyed the future our family worke

through me. He twisted the truth, painting himself as the benevolent patri

g for any sign of guilt, any hin

nt of a man who had never seen me as a daughter, but a

was no warmth in it, no humor. It was the smile

ver just how defectiv