A

e was the same one who had once promised me eternal love. His words h

ndage from a fresh wound. And I hated that

nd pulled myself together. It didn't matter what happened between us before

Jade." Katya pulled me towards h

arted, and I could already sense what he was about to say, so I stopp

ur past relationship, but no one needed to

w a circle in the middle of my palm, like he had the right

o meet

ssive. Like he already knew. I could feel his heat press into my skin e

own my spine. The way his hand gripped my wrist was unnatural, alm

ly finished speaking when a loud noi

usual over-the-top attire at the entrance. She looked like this was a party specific

d to be in there." Her lips puckered; her

demanded of the guards,

on the guest

y. She took a deep breath and gestured inside the hall. "Let

I turned to Roman, ready to explain that I couldn't have asked h

ry, ma'am

o loud. She knew the scene she was causing and the attentio

he ground again. She turned to the P

her

ressed in a silvery pink dress that shimmered under the lights and stopped in

ying to make a point. "When I heard it was your birthda

offer you," she said af

e box and opened it instantly. Inside was an immacula

Set," Naomi beamed with joy, a

offer a gift she was sure would upstage w

ria must be behind the ruse. I guessed they hadn't given up yet on the

like a dragonfly's wing, and when hot tea is poured into the cups, it reveals a hand-painted conste

w valuable her gift was. The beautiful jade set we had presented earlier suddenly p

?" Naomi asked with fake hum

h a gift," Olga said, gesturing to her. Naomi stood by her

lga's strong voic

een thrown off a high-speed horse. Like I had los

heard about the party earlier." She turned t

mered in my chest; I already knew what to expect, but I

working as a junior at a private art gallery, so

. Hook, line, and sinker. She was p

was a banquet neither of us could afford to mishan

ng?" Roman's voice cut through the air be

step in, but I did

was the Sterling house, where she could spin lie

he took a step back, and she stopped. "I was just

is angry with me." She bowe

I knew she would never cry, and

he wants to cut off our parents the moment she gets the chance. I am just worrie

ne," Roman said, pulling me flush to his

ours again, I will have the Sterl

self, but Olga stopped her. Naomi grabbed a f

ga couldn't hide her smile. "Let's get back to the party so we d

nd drinks to go round.

was just getting started, and now Olga had given her a free