plainest clothes I owned, eager to leave the oppressive atmosphere of the Shen household. As I was abou

lse sweetness. "Are you going somewhere?" She was flanked by

ed, keeping my tone even. I didn't want

so thoughtful. He was just saying he wanted to accompany you,

s was just one of Jasmine's games, a way to assert her control and delay

bother at all. A husband accompanying his new wife on her first visit home is pro

ghtly. Jasmine immediately rushed to his side, taking his arm in a familiar way. "Cousin Huai

voice was cold as usual when he spoke to me. "Jasmine is right. It is a matter of appearances. I will g

ut for his own reputation, prompted by the woman who wished me ill. I felt a surge of anger, but I quickly sup

lowered my head, hiding the resentment

d out the window, his jaw tight, making it clear he would rather be anywhere else. I focused

my past life. A fire. A scream. I shook my head, trying to clear it. It was just a bad dream, a remn

urried towards the house. I had to see my mother. I had to make sure she was s