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A
I want
was not supposed to be chosen by him, n
s the one he was suppo
they were looking for a wife for their heir, Roman Volkov, every eligible socialite
ne of those ea
d to the surname. Switched at birth, I'd only been discove
to be. The Sterlings didn't pull me into a tearful embrace, nor did they shower me with
her, Victoria Sterling's eyes when she first looked me over-simply b
finding my birth family
ringing expected of a true heiress, yet they
e to be just like Naomi-their m
, that was ne
t as valuable: the freedom to be myself. A bird raised in the wild didn't take kin
considered th
cut through my thoughts. I didn't need to look up to know
ter," Roman said, his voice sha
it on me since I sat beside my sister while she tried to impress him w
come-sit like a doll-wait to watch how she would sweep R
perfect candidate. Especially after I had botched e
e me of sabotaging her. I knew my so-called sister well enough by
ng, as if reminding me I
eeting his eyes. Strong grey eyes, staring at me, but no e
he didn't look away. "Sin
armth, yet my heart had
are quickly brought
v," I said, pressing my hands flat ag
e pressed, his voice was calm, but the
the right words, treading carefully to avoid offending the formi
declared, as if it were alread
t of his chair and strode away like he had not just
shrieked as soon as
I did
ce Roman? Do you think you are a good match for h
surging through my entire body as I pu
ged the marriage for you, and you should
let go and dusted her hand off like she had touched trash. She
id as the chauffeur shut the doo
no one ever dared speak up. Though I was the one with Sterling bl
began my journey home. Halfway through, the rain began, cold
cab. Victoria had cut off my allowance after I refused the man she'd picke
never being found. What was the point of coming
nt's pale face would
brought to the orphanage from which Meredith Saint had picked me up and lov
t walking toward
crying to Victoria about how I shamelessly
od to you," Victoria said as soon as I stood in front of
t do any
rieked, making me jump off o
t I'd made peace with the truth: my bi
this roof was to pay for my a
every part of me. Without Victoria's permission, no servant dared hand me so
r your sister's sake-for this family's sak
y voice rising for the
that I could barely recognize the woman who
. And tomorrow, you wil
randfather!" The protest es
long as the bene
n't understand how yo
w across my face be
ou say? Say
tumbled out, raw and broken. "No real mother
ack for an
ng, descended the staircase. "Look at the t
th a stern look. "A family like the Volkovs... a girl with no soc
anything but. "Be sensible, Jade. This is for the best. And unless
e like a blade
ng to make you marry Mr. Grant. But he's invited you three
the cold inside me had n
t raw. "And what about Mr. Volkov? How
, dismissive. "He hasn't had a real chance to g
g family would be bold enou
he room turn
lf seemed
the center of the room, his gaze cutting straight
nt, dangerous smile curved his l
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