easy. He couldn't shake off the feeling of

king out at the gardens. He thought about Auror

do. He felt like he w

ed on the door. "Good

ing, Maria," he said. "I need yo

"Right away, s

but think about his situation. He had married a w

fast table and sat down, wa

Aurora came down wear

" Aurora said,

plied. "I see you're stil

d. "I didn't bring any

?" Alber

ra said. "I didn't expect to be ma

e can't have you walking aroun

understanding

Albert ca

ia replied, ent

wife," Albert said. "She

"I'll get Emily to bri

, Maria,"

me, ma'am," M

p to you," Albert said. "In the

" Auro

eautiful Aurora looked, even in the same dress she had been wea

me clothes," Aurora sai

replied. "I'm sorry again

Aurora said.

his chair and looked at Aurora. "We

Aurora asked,

ou," Albert said. "I don't even kn

. "Kylee offered to help me. She said she needed someone to replace her in

"What? That's absurd! W

ded the money, and that she would

had no idea. I thought I w

I'm sorry. I didn't k

ried now. Tell me more about yo

ay," she said. "Bu

," Albert said. "Who ar

other's name is Sarah," she said

our father?"

not a good person," she said. "He was abusive a

o sorry," he said. "That must

said. "But my mother did her

ou're a model, right? Why aren't you more p

he said. "It's about connections, and luck, and a lot of other

e said. "You're talented, and you're beautif

ybe it's just not me

ers. "I don't believe that," he said. "I think there's mo

her? I remember you mentioning that she

actually seen her yet," she said. "I was supposed to visit her, but the

ked away, he couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. He had threaten

lieve what she had done to him. She had manipulated him, used him fo

h he had wanted to spend the rest of his life with he

ld be like if Kylee had stayed. If she had be

hed he could go back in time, make things ri

ut, feeling angry and hurt. Why had Kylee done

all. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized that

n serious. "I want to see your parents," he said.

across her face. "I...I don't know

ay, Aurora, I don't know if I can ever trust you," he said. "And if I find out you'

ay. "I...I haven't deceived you, Albert," she said.

find out otherwise...let's just say I have leverage. Your mother is lying in

e with horror. "You wo

hatever it takes to uncover the truth. And if you're

in her hands. "Please, Albert," she sobbed. "D

aid. "Now, let's get one thing straight: I'll be visiting your paren

controlling , I'm and arrogan