Stepsister's Scorn, Lover's Lie

d Seraphina's engagement still ringing in her ears. She sta

d to the girl in the mir

t she'd fallen for Ethan's act? Her mother's scandal had made her an outsi

face, took a deep breath. She

rged. "Ava. Come. You must congratulate the

d Seraphina were holding cou

le. "Ethan. Seraphi

oice dripping with false sweetness. The

ure. "Or should I say... thank you, future brother-in-law?" Ava's voice was light, almost playful, but

d. He looked momentari

"Ava, dear, if you're struggling with anything... you know, after that unfortunate video... Ethan is very influe

ng charity, mediated by the man who had destroyed Av

a said, her voice crisp. She didn't look

intensified, a sil

"Oh, but we must catch up properly! It's been ages." She looped her arm t

d, down a short hallway, and into a small, opu

aphina's sweet facade vanished.

ved you? He was mine. Always mine. I told him to string you along, to make you believe he cared. It was my idea

ur scholarship and your 'gifted' playing. You think you're better than me? You're nothin

e one person Ava had truly l

ith rage. "My mother was more talented than you'll ever be! And her scandal?

harsh, ugly sound. "She was

le insult. Seraphina shrieked and stumbled back, knocki

d as if to strike, the study doo

g on here?"

panic. "Ethan! Help me! She... she tried to make me eat something... the canapés...

. There were no canapés in the r

xed on Seraphina, his expression instantly transf

. He rushed to Seraphina's side,

. Stars exploded behind her eyes, and a searing pain shot through her s

ely focused on Seraphina, who was

n my purse..."

s if she weighed nothing. "Hang on, Seraphina, I've got yo

raphina out of the room, lea

art was a cold, dead weight. He hadn't even hesitated. H

trying to staunch the flow of blood. Numbly, sh

ed to le

again. Not Ethan. It was Chad and Bryce, Et

re?" Chad drawled. "Looks li

y grabbed her, one on each

ith you," Bryce sneer

a back exit, into the cold night

. "Let me go! Wh

ced a small water bottle. He unscrewed the cap.

ice chillingly calm. "Ethan said you needed t

pen. The chili water burned down her throat, makin

lfish," Bryce taunted, yanking her hair. "How

ng, enjoying her

dn't..." Ava choked

id, his face close to hers. "He wants you to suf

s; they were an extens

s phone. "Smile for

, exposing her skin. The flash went

the humiliation, the burning i

ht was of Ethan's face, twisted in false concern, and the horrify