oe

g the cold, hard terms with Freya. Each wor

apel, with only a few family members and designated

r visits to the hospital to cooperate with the PR team's campaign. She will be photographe

listening to them arrange my

my arm, preventing me fro

ime, a cool, almost cruel assessment. She was ev

lurred. I blinked hard, trying not t

in and whispered, "Get rid of that pathetic

mous hiss that sent

, but it was no use. A single, hot tear escaped and

o wipe it away, b

The living room fell sil

iliation so intense I wished t

a smile. "Oh, look at this child. She's just so happy. The th

a clumsy,

r. She didn't call out the lie

rd silence. "It's normal for young people to be emotiona

e, but empty. They d

"Chloe, go get Mr. and Mr

of the room. I turned numbly

the corner, his hands clenched into tight

screaming with a silent st

nter. I expected the tears to come hot and un

tial shock had passed, replaced by a crystalline clarity. Cryi

y life being tram

s cowardice, Emma's selfishn

hter from the living room, followed b

acting as if I was too st

ld water on my face, again and again,

s wouldn't earn me any sympathy from billionair

n of the microwave. My eyes were slightly red, but they were sharp,

ok a deep breath, a

hope. I thought of Emma's smug text message from last night. If they want

, I forced myself to lift my head and m