pped just outside the imposing wrou

ment of stone and glass that had long ag

n her lungs. "Wait here," she told Julian. "I need to do th

ng her as she got out of the car

suffocating silence. They were waiting for her in the living room-A

voice boomed, bouncing off the high ceiling

"Hailey, darling, don't be difficult. Mr. Knight is a

omous whisper only Hailey could hear. "It's over,

for a single shred of genuine affection. She f

ait of her mother, Eleanor,

e friends. Heartbroken by her first love, Eleanor d

t for Eleanor, Judith introduced Arthur

r's advances and gradually handed

th and Arthur had been having an affair. Judith ha

or. After giving birth, she was too weak. Arthur begged

t survive long after that. Years later, the shameless Arthur brought

t the bones of her mother's legacy. A

ssed surged through her veins-the st

d, striding towards her. He reache

ill not be seeing Sterling Knight," she said, her voice quiet b

re you being so selfish? This is for the family..." Her words di

belle had never seen before-arctic, d

ctic. Her lower lip trembled. Tears welled in he

g to clutch at Hailey's sleeve,

d never

in the silent room. Hailey had put every ounce of

shock on her face, five red finge

dith stared, mouths agape. They had never see

cing shriek, clutching

rning on Hailey with a snarl. "You're in

ed a trembling finger at Hailey. "You are

nching. "This," she said, her voice dan