From Heiress to Outcast

hrobbing pain that

of decay. Dust motes danced in the single

amed with every breath. Olivi

one Julian had hired recently

f water and a stale

for three days. Orders fr

rison.

sanctioned this, even in his amne

the mercy of his coldn

the water, h

. She coul

her only focus. This wa

ght of California, of

a price, a final on

day, Olivia

ures. Delivered by

together in the gardens. Julian and Ava, his arm around h

elfie, Olivia's lips pressed to Julian's cheek.

y. He's mine. And Ava is the sister he adores. You're just a

lmost worse than the physical.

ning, the guard

yourself up. You'

rk

staff showers, then giv

avish party. For Ava Sterling.

ng, was forced to serve dr

was a constant,

a speech, we

gant diamond necklace. "To my si

smile genuine as he clas

or Ava, the real daughter, was an

hadows, her heart a co

red. Maya cau

ms so differen

sed with that other gi

trange things. Maybe

ny shards of glass. They

y of her situatio

new diamonds, found

weet, her eyes cold. "I hope your ti

erate, a reminder o

ply, her face

pping closer, her voice droppi

Julian. How he preferred you.

ed with a deep,

at should have been mi

ss was almost a relief. It wasn't just abo

for every moment of it," Ava h

in this house. By the time I'm d

explicit. Maya felt a col

ust entitled;

utching the diamond neck

ne!" she cried, her v

d, her eyes la

tanding right he

and public, drew ever

nce. This was another setup. M

the commotion, st

and piercing,

uspicion in his gaze, t

say a word. His lo

uffocating, clawe