Ophelia sat gracefully on the velvet couch, her posture relaxed, but her eyes sharp and calculating. She lo

's been too long. You look... well." Her eyes flickered o

yes. "Doesn't it always seem too long, Ophelia?" she replie

regained her composure."Oh, come now, sister. There is no

ame word Ophelia had used before-right before she had destroyed everything. But

more controlled. "What brings you here so early?

e from, but she kept her tone light."I wanted to talk to you about something important. I've h

hat exactly have you heard?". She remembered this day clearly, Ophelia had pl

or that Julian's company is in trouble. Financially, I mean. Some poor investments, a few bad partnerships...

than to trust Ophelia, she would not be manipulated this ti

ica said carefully. "Julian n

ver tell you about such a thing, dear. But I know just the right thing to

e knew Ophelia didn't offer help-she came to plant seeds of

d, matching her sister's tone. "I

ords, each carefully chosen, unti

id, smoothing her dress with a practiced hand.

sured, walking her

a's with an intensity that sent a chill down her spine. "Oh, and Erica?

she forced herself to nod, her face a m

away, her heels clicking against the stone path. Erica watched her go,

ning. She knew Ophelia was up to something-she always was. She jus

h her suspicions. Not yet. He would be hurt if he knew she doubted him, and the last thing

living room, her thoughts racing. She needed to think, plan, and figure out her n

at herself, her expression unreadable. She looked the same on the outside-young, beautiful, unscarred-but she felt diffe

wiser. She had been given a seco

leaped into her throat. She turned, half expecting

on the phone. He wis

" she said, following the maid to the study. She picked up the p

he line, warm and reassuring. "I wante

frayed nerves. "Yes, I'm fine," she replied,

's concerned expression on the other end of the li

out all her fears and doubts, but she couldn't-not yet. She needed time to sort

aid, her voice softer.

ke again, his tone gentle. "I understand. I'

ough her chest. "I'd like that," she said, h

was planning, but she was certain of one thing-she wouldn't let her sister ruin her life

Ophelia did. But she was no longer the naive girl who had fa

sn't afrai