nd collapsed onto the couch, the tears she h

betrayal tangled together

ngle word, "Mom." Clara stared at it, and despite ev

wiped away her tears,

. You should come." Margaret's voice ca

arse. "I'm not part of the Sterling famil

e irritated. "Your sister

sist

ing that Margaret was referring to the

ce, she finally nod

the Sterling residence, the

, every eye turned toward her. Whis

e stabbing into her heart.

old glance at those whispering.

allen for him, this was how

ara's chest. Julian noticed

d off these p

" he asked

d Margaret stepped forwar

day to announce something important. After con

ething exploded

was the re

at Vivian i

, Vivian's face tur

in her voice. "You promised me you

e room fe

eiress as she hurried to Clara, her voice low and apologet

, her chest rising

else do you want to take from me? Just take it all. My husband, my fa

the color draini

ouncing this, I can ask them to adopt you as their goddaugh

ng close to absurd

at Vivian, her gaze calm. "How long ar

ally am doing this for you... I don't want to lose

were true, you wouldn't be taking my money for your tuition, livi

e instinctively looked at Julian. "J

t to speak, but Margaret ha

manners left? Vivian was kind enough to let you stay

aised her hand, about to s

e rushed forward and threw

echoed throu

f the slap

face, but struck Vivian ha

er pupils shri

almost instantly, a trace of blood appearing at

t instinctively, her voice t

nked her away with enough

voice tight with urgency. "Where are you hurt? A

ead, though her te

arms again, shielding Clara. Her voice was thick with tears, y

r hand still frozen midair. "Vivi

Margaret's gaze. "She's the

ed at Clara. "Look what you've turned her

do you even know me? You have no idea how good Clara has been to me! All you ca

listened to it all and sudd

ling, you're right. I do lack manners. After all, growing up, all I ever got from you

ace went dea

at Clara in shock. Was this real

well, her eyes f

anyone again. She tur