from the cigarette between his fingers and the alco

t able to sleep for three days straight, trying to dec

walke

gh

He managed to say. "We've foun

Ethan

gail made sure to get ice cream for

ppily playing in the playgroun

her. "Auntie brought ice cream." Th

ngs,she couldn't come visit. "You're here." A Nun came

ldren ran off with the ice cream. "What

till have that necklace?" Abigail asked. "Of cours

ing?" Amera asked. "Yes."Abigail

era had been teaching her Chines

r expertise someday." Amera brought do

l the necklace. "Are you going t

finding them. If they wanted her,t

il smiled. She stayed a little lo

holding onto a piece of herself she had forgotten. The memory of her childhood felt like

family,she had no int

was a sharp knock at the door. She opened it to find Clara sta

ara said, scanning Abigail like she was somethin

test. A new way of reminding her that she wasn't truly welcome in the Frey fam

, stepping forward.

llenge. "Pa Frey likes perfection. Let

. "Abigail,you will never

ted to test her, she'd prove she was

hen,got ingredients

ry move. The aroma of rich spices filled the air, a testament to her skill. She had wor

ey Mansion. It was a house where alliances were fragile, betrayals

ickly,not after she had abandoned Liam for Ethan, a

stepping into their world meant co

better. In a house like this, acceptance wasn't a gift,it was a test. And if she fai

ead and a few strands of hair clung to her skin. She frowned. If she was going to serve

faded, Charli appeared-

pulling a tiny vial from her pocket. The liq

freshed and composed. She lifted the bowl care

te, nodding in approval.

e she had passed their test. Maybe, just ma

old man's f

rp co

nds tr

hest h

ed as his body slumped

lara gasped dramatically, and before Abigail could reac

m!" Clara accuse

back, shaking her

N

wasn't

arted, but Clara was a

kes up, he'll know exactly what kin

e she could fight them off. She wa

d done

d

glass of whiskey in his hand. Abigail. The name had burrowed into his mind,

hat couldn't be traced. But now, he had a new concern. Clara's message had reach

ing her hand early,testing how far she could push before he retaliated. But if Abigail was tru

fresh reports. "Sir, Clara's people are already

o keep her locked i

ened. That wasn't

," he ordered. "