Elena Bennett let a bleak smile tug at her lips and said, “So, just because Sir Whitmore likes me and not her, you’re willing to ruin me so she can she wants?”
The last part of Elena’s question burst out as a near shout.
Tears welled in her eyes, yet she forced them back, tipping her head so they would not fall.
Don’t cry for parents and a brother like this, she told herself over and over.
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“I’ve already agreed to break off the engagement–I’ve already given Victor to her. What else do you want? Will you only be satisfied when the whole world spits on me Llena demanded,
Adaline stared at her, eyes stripped of all warmth; she no longer bothered to pretend.
Adaline said. “Elena, I never meant to destroy your reputation. Everything I’ve done is for your sister. Sir Whitmore treasures you too much; Annie can’t compete. The only way is to make him dislike you then he’ll settle for her.”
The word “sister” scraped Elena’s nerves like broken glass.
Elena suddenly laughed, loud and sharp. “Ha–ha–ha! Sister? When I treated her as a sister, did she ever treat me as family? And did any of you ever treat me as your daughter?”
“your plan isn’t flawless at all,” Elena went on. “You think that as long as you don’t touch my virtue, I’ll suffer no real loss. But if I had been the one drugged and left in that bed today, do you honestly think I could have escaped unscathed?”
Maybe Adaline truly hadn’t intended to ruin her, but Annabelle Bennett would never have let such a chance slip by.
Elena knew far too well just how vicious Annie could be
Julian Bennett barked, “Enough! What good is all this arguing now? You’re perfectly fine, aren’t you? Annie was the one drugged–her reputation is the one in tatters! Instead of feeling sorry for her, you’re standing here screaming. What do you have to complain about?”
Elena’s stare turned icy. “Really? Then tell me, Brother–if I had been the one ruined today, would you be saying the same soothing words to Annabelle?”
Julian’s throat worked. “Mom only did this for your sister! You’re the older one–you stole her identity for twenty years. What’s wrong with repaying her
little?”
“So my own name means nothing, is that it?” Elena asked quietly.
Julian’s face darkened. “Hmph! As il your reputation was ever that great to begin with”
The last flicker of hope inside Elena went cold.
A year ago they had already dragged her name through the mud; in their eyes she was worthless. Perhaps they even thought it an honor for her to be used as Annabelle’s stepping stone into the Whitmore family.
Julian added, “Besides, even if you’re completely ruined and can never many, the Bennett family can keep you for life. We’ve supported you for twenty years–what’s a low more decades?”
Elena let out a scornful laugh. “You act as though raising me was some heroic deed, so now you’re entitled to do anything you want with me
Julian frowned. “Elena Bennett, how can you be so ungrateful? Mom and Dad’s twenty years of care have been wasted on a dog!”
Clenching her fists until her knuckles whitened, Elena said, each word frosted with Ice, “I took the fall for Amabelle and endured more than a year of abuse in that place. Isn’t that payment enough for your so called kindness?”
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Chapter 73
Julian’s brows slammed together. “You really are a thankless wretch!”
He snapped, “Fine–then go explain everything to Sir Whitmore. Hand your engagement to Annie, or get out of the Bennett house and never comeback!”
E
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.