el'

nger. "Just because I have feelings for you doesn't mean you

nted to hit him very hard just so he could feel the

ered in prison even after my miscarriage, but he didn't even

is nothing like you." My heart sank at his words. To Adrian , Thalia was a p

ropped from my eyes. And as I walked away, he held me back. "You

your filthy hands off me," I fired back, releasing myself f

y and needing something to fill the emptiness inside me. I ha

I chewed slowly, knowing Adrian must have told my parents

y no. "Your parents will be upset if you skip today's eve

the grand hall, which was still buzzing with guests. Even though Tha

ut the latest news. "Why does everyone treat Thalia li

ut loud. "I heard Thalia has already made some big

made her in charge, clearly showing

to someone else? My fists tightened as I listened to them talk. I cou

hing was clear: the truth was more complicated than anyone knew.

d. The others followed her gaze. "Hazel? No way. She used t

ow, I was nearly unrecognizable. Realizing they were talking about me, I made m

looked at me with doubt before giving me a fake hug. I longed for a

ara asked, her tone cold and distant. I rolled my eyes, feeling a

furrowed. "A bit of struggle can be good for you. It t

. "I'll go say hi to the person who made my life a nightmare," I said, turni

d by a group of wealthy young women. As a waiter passed by with a tray of wine, I

lia a glass with a smile that didn't reach my eyes

or Thalia, but I was curious about what was coming next. Just as Thalia rais

on't drink that wine! I

ide with shock. "What do you mean?"

g into your drink. It looked like a drug." Several

pened months ago when Thalia was taken after drinking somethi

twist this moment to blame me for something again. I had been tryi

t going to eat." The maid insisted, "But I saw you pu

strong enemy. Around us, whispers and murmurs began to spread among th

he wouldn't make that mistake again. I believe she's innocent." Her words

was a big deal-a stain that could ruin a person's reputation an

er face showing guilt. "I was just drunk and talking nonsense. Don't t

r discomfort, which hinted that there might be some truth to what she

my time in prison was meant to destroy my life. My anger bubbled up. If Th

bed onto the stage, grabbing the microphone. I forced a bitt

Thalia, I could have made her vanish without a tra

wine, my voice filled with challenge. "If I r

boiling inside me. I knew it was a trap, a last-ditch effort to se

n to fade, and the room started to spin. I tried to step back, but my leg