Cain

lence. Every eye was on me, waiting. They were waiting for me to brea

into the center of the room. He looked just as Brett had described-pale, thin, confin

between Brett and his cronies. The tra

words "I choose Kaleb"

rdinand's words from his

ter who it is. But this family... it is a viper's nest. When you make your announcement, do

is chair, and I saw a flicker of something in his eyes a

s a desperate, spiteful act. It would make me look weak, and it would put Kaleb in an even more vulnerable position. The Kl

h. I didn't argue. I

them

rned and w

g. She kept angling her wrist, letting the diamonds on her new bracelet catch the pas

et, poisonous whisper, "even if you m

ce. A social media darling with a perfectly curated life. But

he memory of my previous life was as clear as the diamond on her wrist. I remembere

e had shielded her, glaring at me as if I were the monster. The shock

ded up marrying some foreign heir, her life a glittering su

ips, you can have him. I was almost curious to see how it w

y voice calm. The admissi

at's the point of having the ma

ently. "I hope you grow up quickly,

e smile. "I wish you both

ctly painted lips parted in surprise. Then

with a dismissive laugh. "But I know you're just

r family and forced pleasantries. My father, oblivi

days. She stood in the foyer, dressed in a designer gown and dripping with jewels that I

ow, smug smile spre

"Brett bought it all for me. He insisted. He said I was

wanted to deliver the gift and leave. I tried to

id, her voice saccharine sweet. "Why are you being so cold? I

d up with crocodile tears. I

ed her aside, not hard,

with a theatrical gasp, th

er voice echoing in the marble foy

ed by her damsel-in-distress c

doing?" he roared, his

s eyes blazing. "Are you abusing your

na's sobbing form on the floor, a perfectly

ncredible," I said, shaking my head. "She's so yo

f my mouth when a sharp sti

slapp

t her that way," he snarl

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