, her voice as faint as the wind.

was no

seemed t

d fell to the floor, the darkne

hospital room. A nurse entered and told her, "Madam, your

he pretending to be now? Before she had time to gather h

rvant rushed in

elia, you

t. Ophelia grabbed the woman's

he whispered, "Miss Wren came here. the ne

bed, nearly losing consciousness. The maid t

ough her weakened body, but she didn't care. She had to see

epression since her father was imprisoned, but she had been

er mother must have fallen into a deep self-blame, thi

Alex

g from the force, and once she confirmed t

ld estate, the memorial ser

e, dressed in a black suit, his face cold and ster

he was a di

over, extending her h

"Now is not the time for a conversation, unles

familiar scent of woodsy cologne. Her tears almost spille

y pushed him away, saying noth

memorial hall, and her tears flowed uncontrollably once again. Alexander's handkerchief was

a hint of feigned concern in her tone. "I heard your

med, slapping Wren acros

led Wren behind him. "Stop

ack suit, still as handsome as ever-tall, powerful, impos

killed my mother?" she said, turning to Wren again. "M

he was sick, and I often came to keep her company, especially when you couldn'

acting!" Opheli

uickly grab

med me, Alexander! She planned all of this-she f

r mind. "Wren has no reason to harm you," he said, mo

osed her eyes. "Alexa

d he said coldly, "What right d

dead, and my father is in prison! You've gotten enough revenge! If you're doing

phelia. "I know she made mistakes. She shouldn't have cheated, but please, she's still my friend. I can't watch

's eyes

orp," she

"Oh, you've figured it out. Yes, Alexander transferre

he last thing her mother had left behind. Alexander

her heart was b

em anymore. She scre

h Wren, but not before gla

lone, staring at h

nto the wet floor, her hands gripping

sion blurred. She whispered, "I'm so

nder. She had tried to tell her the truth about Alexander's family, that her mother had

mily for years-how her mother had been labeled as the one who destroye

, question, doubt her. But Alexan

er face, and she had melted under his touch. "You are

uly trusted her and ch

er, telling her, "Ophelia, men lie most wh

h love, hope, and certainty. Alexander was differ

roudly down the aisle, convinced that n

truth. And now. she

peaking to her deceased mother. "Mo

old stone, her tears mixing with the f

into the car and headed