ind. The notebook in front of me blurred, and I
lready certain who was st
open disbelief. Her gaze traveled slowly from head to toe, widening eve
ess-than-successful exam session, and I had a
fectly made-up nose. I still couldn't understand why she had dressed
anded, already rifling through my wardrobe as if sh
honestly my best option. Everything I'd brought with me was completely
sses will have to do. I'll stop by the optom
, spinning sharply toward me. She looked from me to herself
id firmly, rising to my feet. "Your clothes w
already heading for the door. "Take that disaster
-shirt and leggings for something more femin
ance was enough to know it wouldn't work. My waist was much slimmer than hers, while my hips were wi
ar in a recent runway collection. Snatching the soft triangle from her hands, I tied
laimed. "Nadya, I know it's a funeral, but all our acqu
my purse from the table. "Let's go
Both Darvins will be th
ral and the reception were over, I would leave immediately. My exams were finished, my courses completed, but I still had one unresolved issue-my ec
about those two. You know Dad i
," she said irritably, nu
and politely offered his hand to each of us as we got into the car. He was new-I didn't even
to do today?" Mom asked
en each other in forever, so we dec
dinner. We'll have gues
, then repeated more f
a mysterious smile. "By the way,
wouldn't be pleasant. Please-just not my unhinged cousin and
ad be back f
ek. He misses you. You
more years, and then I'll come b
aid hesitantly, fidgeting with her purse. She was clearly nervous,
eer-no," I said firmly. "I only do it because
t... never mind. W
ed into the parking lot of the
er-just as kind, just as warm. He had built an immense fortune and somehow remained human. Business ruins people, but it hadn't broken him.
wo spoiled, arrogant heirs who believed they
of the crowd. The funeral procession moved slowly along the path, and I walked near the end. When it stopped and people
ears. Mom appeared beside me just in time, placing her hands
t me-like
s I scanned the crowd,
they
rvin b
ing his gaze over me without shame. Their grandfather was being buried, and th
aside," I said, forcing my way backward thro
you need help?" she a
ar. It's just... to
you feel worse, ask Victor
headed towa
that moment was
rother was
ed under my breath. Maybe he felt u
my pace, weaving between rows of gravestones. At one po
s when I ran straight into an obstacle
ou think yo
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