d innocent at seventeen, walked in carrying a tray with a single glass of

ast," Claire said, her voice dripping with a fa

hatred rose in her throat, hot as bile. She forced it down, locking it away behind a carefully constructed mask. S

lightly intimidated expression that was

her bare feet on the expensive rug. "T

ndr saw it. Claire loved seeing her feel like an outsider,

s graceful and practiced. She took Alexandr's hand in hers. "Don't wo

t. Alexandr had to fight the violent urge to flinch, to snatch her hand a

for the benefit of the household staff. The grand dining room was just as she remember

mile that didn't reach her cold, assessing eyes. They made polite, distant small talk about her journey from the foster home, their questions feeling more like an inter

id, her voice soft and full of false nobility. "Now that Alexandr is back... mayb

gned to paint herself as selfless while positioning Alexandr a

ately, reaching across the table to pat Claire's han

ession stern. "Claire, you are a

ctation and warning. They expected resentment, a sullen sil

up, her eyes wide and shi

bling just enough to be convincing. "I... I don't k

, her script rendered useless. Arthur and Lorraine exchanged a look of surprise, w

hem. Her first

making herself look small and hesitant. "The

e softening slightly, feeling magna

r care, everyone I knew... they called me Alexandr Fields. Could I... could I ask that the

e a psychological barrier, to reject the name s

a girl not yet ready to embrace her new st

sily. "If it makes the tr

in her eyes. She couldn't pinpoint what

She had successfully established her cover as a harmless, broken thing, all while s