ste

a

agging me from the depths of nothingness. My body

f my favorite -- fresh lavender. I can also hear the distant hu

ays flash into my eyes a

eiling, u

ath hi

falls rapidly as my

eneath me, feeling the texture and the

the dim light filtering through

b

I on

had it all been a dream? No icy water, no suff

entation hit me

e am

of my body, expecting to find bruises, wounds -- some

rks or bruises on me, and m

the warm glow of a familiar

nize th

cent that envelopes the air-- it is my b

as I struggle to breathe. This isn'

y mirror still had the small crack in the corner from when Sophie had accidentally knocked over my perfume bottle,

... They shou

. With trembling hands, I grab it and press the power

arch 16

eath h

gagement to Noah Harrington.

e truth slams into my face li

reb

ran down

My gaze went back to the wall-mounted calendar near my b

ive yea

disbelief, I stumble towards the mir

ack at me... Is way

ouching my fa

circles beneath my eyes gone, the weary lines carved

the pain I had endured. My glossy,

up in my throat, but it com

dawned

d my fate by agreeing to marry Noah Harrington. The day before, I u

remember everything. The sweet words Noah had whispere

otting to steal my inheritance. The way I had foolishly sacrificed my happ

s, unlike anything I had ever felt before. I

this

s time, I'm not going to be that naiv

estroy them before t

door cut thro

ste, are y

I heard that voice, it had been filled with pity as she was drive

g the shock of my face. The old me would have hesitated,

ith a steady and

ter

ely. "Madam Lancaster has requested you to join

sheets with rage. "Ok,

and leaves

downstairs to have dinn

I feel the sting of pain. No, I'm n

given a se

s on my lips. This time,

I won't be

I will ma

self to think rationally. I woke up exactly

sal, believing in his sweet words and empty promises

ing of my downfall back then

ake won't h

a few minutes later, I hea

will be with them shortly. Wh

it's the same person at the door; I'm

ns wide, I see Mu

you for over thirty minutes now. You didn't show up"

sought this woman's approval, despe

ose myself. I can't let them

ng sure my voice sounds sof

robe. She is as beautiful as ever, with her flawless skin and carefully styled blo

ll these years. I

edge of the bed. "Today is an important day, darling

can never forget the day I ha

d, forming innocence. "Of course not, Mother," I say w

vingly. "Good. The press conference is at noon, and we want ever

deed I scoff In

force my expressio

rse," I

dressed and come downstairs soon. Your f

s the room, closing

tightening into fists so

life. I had allowed myself to be

t this

s to destroy th

see the disgrace

cond

ophia Raynes won't se