with a throbbing headache and somet

ince waking up in this cold, unfamiliar house. The strange thing was, the dining space in her memory didn't look anything like the one downstairs. It had

d if her parents had another house.

voice sharp and alert, announcing breakfast. And knowing what her father was capa

t the head of the table, and her mother silently by his s

ing or the bruise. Elisa saw it clearly. The way the left side of her face puffed sl

maybe even comfort her - but she couldn't understand how any woman would remain with

self. She wouldn't sit there quietly and marry a stranger. All she needed was an opp

r place at the other end of the table.

ather glanced at her mother and asked

e's comin

ased. "What about... those other

attention. She look

other replied, he

her father snapped. "I want

cou

e to go. Make sure you two ar

to her, trying to smooth over t

Elisa replied

you wake wit

No

memo

ot

a small, tight smile. "That's

, focusing on the last b

? We have a lo

utique in the city. The dressmaker greeted them like royalty and had Eli

h a few adjustments were needed

, and skin treatments. Despite herself, Elisa felt her body start to relax. It wasn't the bonding

manicures and pedicures to dry, when a tal

with no warmth behind the fake surprise. "My

up, unsure. "I

ferent," the girl

mother cut in smoothly. "She's

es drifting toward Elisa's hai

uched her head. "My hair

mother warned,

m sorry, Mrs. Mancini. I'll be on my way." She turned back to El

d strutted away like

"What was wron

oth

something. Why woul

ace, Elisa. We'll t

o talk abo

a short sigh. "Yo

"What do you mean, dyed i

ed being blonde. And St

s. Why would I hat

ade you look le

Elisa said firmly. "An

likes blonde hair. He may not go ahea

is problem

ase don't be difficult. Just a few more weeks. Y

sed her arm

n. "If you try to strip the dye and

as the orig

other

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