ll of undisguised hatred, locked onto Ember. She ignored Ember

ou' re here!" she gushed, poin

ded weakly, but made no move to i

om next to yours, Ember," Julian a

d, her voice distant. "It

tler appeared. "Mr. Carlo Copeland would l

eland, Julian' s father, sat behind a massive mahogany desk. He was

armth. "The family is grateful for what

oss the desk. "This is a smal

t. "I don' t want

ed an e

h," Ember continued, her voice ga

going to marry Julian. On the day of the wedd

ally cracked. He looke

ou to promise that you will not let Julian look for me. Let him believe

solute drum in her chest.

sman' s mind calculating the angles. A quiet, clean bre

certain?"

said, her voi

in years. It was past lunchtime, and the house w

eanette in the conserva

as Ember approached. "Finally deci

ed her and

lucky. You' re a nobody. A freak!" She gestured wildly, knocking a heavy ceramic vase off its pedestal. It sh

face contorted with rage. "Everyone knows your mother was a

of her palm against Jeanette' s c

e low and cold, her eyes burning with a fire Jeanette h

Estelle rushed forward, playing the peacemaker. "Please, stop! Don

sidestepped, and Jeanette crashed into Estell

HERE?" a voice boo

tte on the floor, Estelle crying, and Emb

Carlo ordered the household staff, po

t that meant. She was dragge

down her face. "Mr. Copeland, please, it was my fault!

pression unreadable. "Very well

telle, realizing her ploy had backfired spect