Her Sacrifice, Their Scorn

d were a blur of care

acting on her behalf, started s

by anonymous messenger services

ot

ening, his hand on the small of he

ughing with other rich, beautiful people.

toria at an intimate family dinner. Ethan helpin

d tremble as I

was sharp, a fres

could look at the images, the mov

atching a movie about

as too precise, too personal. She wan

legant envelope arrived

Victoria thought you might like

ultrasound picture.

a's looping script:

th hitc

ust a society photo. This was rea

on a burner phone I foun

return it. Meet her at the little cafe near the park

could Victoria possibly

mother's

ket, passed down through generations. Ethan had adm

get it? Ethan. It

er surged through me.

afe. It was a place filled w

y dressed, a small, satisfi

t offer a

eyes sweeping over me with disdain.

" I asked, my

tea. "Ethan felt it was best if I hel

All

table." Her voice was soft, laced with mo

to me,

and pulled out the locket. It gli

d it in fr

e said. "Though hardly a M

s mi

d, predatory smile. "But first

gy? Fo

embarrassment. You need to understand your place,

d into fists. "G

me you understand you'll never be Mrs. Montgomery. T

rom her fingers. My grandmother's face, her love

uldn't give her

" I

vanished. Her e

your

te, almost casual movemen

ocket

le floor with a

AS

d in the sudden

shattered silver, my grand

les and Eleanor Montgomery walk

ll, theatrical gasp. S

ith feigned terror. "She attacked me! Sarah a

e. "She was screaming, trying to ri

e was a mask of fury. El

arles thundered, s

sed hi

L

ck. My cheek burned. Tears sprang to

nor hissed. "You will not

their words like whips. "Troublem

ictoria, pale and seemingly distressed, being comfor

g cheek, the shattered piece

leeting second. I saw con

s side. "What happen

rsion. Sarah, hysterical. Sar

mask of torment and someth

s voice low, straine

ven ask if

, the tiny ember I'

augh. A bitter

myself, the word catching

esser Montgomery properties, a gu

rmed me I was not to le

came. His f

. "Victoria... she says you pushed

r mother gave it to her. Sh

"Victoria is pregnant. We have to be

u belie

at I believe right now. We need to ke

h me. He didn'

o," he said, his voice flat.

Always

who no longer existed.

uction of my locket, Ethan's sile

was br