The Queen of Spades

ng. It caused some fr

y gasped in shock, and my hand flew

ment and cala

ken, to lying in pure agony on the streets of Ne

as all m

ble, and I deserved the repr

lated to him?"

g," she sobbed, a little too car

." the doctor apologized qu

be able to walk ag

ighed before

surgeries, and prayers-but in this case, it's rare. Mrs.

along with every li

st hi

reality when the do

!" Tatiana's voice was high-pitc

n beside her looke

lly useless now!" Mrs

e ruining your mascara," her

ng ugly?"

es

her fingers. "Lauren

now knew as Lauren, h

in a shrill voice, and the screech of tires rev

hed through my mind, and a fresh w

orgetting to

ana noticed an

e didn't bother l

Cleve daughters,

know th

not Car

I could hear the disg

'll tell you how the accident happened,

e into a fresh bout of empty

oom opened at that same time, a

arted between my sibling

ht and angry to speak to m

y grumbled and

tly, but he turned on his heels

you done

y from lunging at me. "Don't be rude. Let her in. She wants to see hi

back and took off

ered. "Off you go," she said in a sing-

forced a smile

dded with a sick s

rs open. Vince was hooked up to many tubes, un

ed out to him,

are you?" My legs carr

rep

're all happy you're alive,

rep

We'll all take care of you, and

ined my

w, threatening-still r

mained on t

sor

you're the sister of my best friend. Now I hate you as m

s eyes looked almost bloodsho

this," I stuttered. "I'll beg Tatiana every

ack! I'm crippled-and it's all becaus

a mist

nishment for you," he said

k rose, and cold s

istant. And you will be at my beck and

h

married to me and become the wife of a cripple for t

as he

happiness. Your dreams will die like mine have, and you will never be

nce

w. Invite your family,"

, plea

as. "Close the do

sor

!" Vince

..

he cops." A new voice

a murderous glare. Her look was full of hatred. Sh

e say his name again. And I never want to lay eyes on

Mother," Vince f

our feet and sticking their ugly faces on the

ank into m

ing enough to s

Vince, I managed to

ever meant for

ushed outside, hot, hurried

me hurry toward them, tearing the gown of

tlyn joined him, laughing. "She fi

hasty steps and whee

shut, I broke do

ame a

ngel

f rushed through me, bu

y," he co

saw Michelle kissing another man!" I ranted, making sorry, useless attempts to stop my tears. "

he's just too much of a rich, rude snob t

broke down in sobs, t

et it. Is that what happened

ough he coul

to the road without looking," I explained

It's a good thing he didn't put t

ell him how Michelle had planned to publicl

I said once I could speak a

kno

What do you know, Kord?" My he

getting marri

fr

g me for revenge?" My v

o much pain. You know they have the power to bend the law and have you locked up

his," I choked, st

saw her and Tatiana talking. More like Tatiana was giving her orders-Carrie h

t love me,

jail," Kord said, and that wa

want to g

***

nce you husba

e, who lay on his bed, unmoving, only

ly white satin dress my stepmoth

family, cramped togeth

pers all day. Once, they even dared to laugh, but I k

d ring that was meant for Michelle. Sh

it back. But they probably didn't care. The Ste

it was

beginning of my wor

e with deep sadness, offering a ti

s nowhere

no kissing happenin

," Kord said. The priest clea

he door did I collapse

s of joy?" I he

r her crimes. She no longe