voice cool and steady. "Now

shrinking closer to Elena like

d, voice trembling, tears glinting in her eyes. "You're t

at I'm asking about-is how you paid that man to lure me ups

but the chill in it

rt you," she continued, "so why

"Sometimes I just. lose control, okay? You know how I get

xcuse

the sam

e same pe

at's enough, Claire. Serena lived outside the family for years. She's t

u want me to forgive someone who t

onto Elena-fille

worry. Not for

wisted insi

f we're not blood-did I really mean so little to you? So little that you'd

ed it again, her expression flick

ging up the past. What matters now is

fault!" Serena s

nd stepped forward, her

aire. "I hate you! Why do you get to wear the pretty dresses, sleep in

didn'

said flatly. "It was the hospi

ou had should've been mine! Even Nelson! You knew I loved him-we we

landed l

d gasped

yes, inhaling deepl

new what this would do to my life-to my marriage-and you still wen

ice cold. "But look at you. You

tunned by how twi

linch. "You owe

le

as too stunn

er face. "Serena. nothing justifies what you did. No

" Serena repeated, voice thi

please. treat this as a favor to your mother, alright? I'll apologiz

owly shoo

'old times' betwee

was quiet,

laire's eyes didn't waver. "S