INE

t. I couldn't believ

ary Pa

re Marian Faulkner h

felt the sting of breaking skin. I was supposed to be Jamel's Fated Mat

her. Aleta. That bitch was watching me with an expr

ng all control. "I am Jamel's true

cial. "Miss Justine, remember your station. Love does n

ge I couldn't speak. Hot, furio

h rage. "Justine! Be silent! Take

As I was pulled away, I heard Lady Marian's cold voice drift after me. "It

e floor. Mirrors, perfume bottles, jewelry boxes-they shat

d at Agnes. "Aleta! It has to be that b

lady, this is not the time for anger," she murmured. "Think. If you

s right. If I said no, Jamel would eventually mate with some high-bo

accept it. I ha

TA

screaming coming from Justine's room do

y maids and then sat beside me, her expression resolute

rised. "Ag

er said, her eyes clear and firm for the first time in a long while. "Most of Justine's hatred for me was pla

irst time my mother had ever made such a forcefu

g her hand. Getting rid of Agnes was l

from across the estate, but to my surprise, my father actually sided with my mother. He was clearly still furious about Justin

ed at our castle as a guest, clea

r, she finall

ny, when the heavy doors opened. Justine appeared before us, her eyes red an

, Lady Faulkner," she said,

s smile. "A wise choice, chil

condition. I want control of the Faulkner house

She was trying to claw back some semblance of

ent, then nodded. "Very well. But remember,

he older woman was

he held her ground. Slowly, her eyes, full of

, she blamed me for every si