Page 13 of Love Me

“You said that already.”

“I’m sorry.”

I bow my head further, swallowing hard to keep the act up. She taps my knee. “I see you learned the most important lesson: humility. They don’t say it for nothing: distance truly makes the heart grow fonder.”

Or rather filled with poison and how I will enjoy serving it to you, one drop at a time.

“I betrayed you.”

“You did.”

But I didn’t. I betrayed myself by loving and trusting that cunning bastard. When I am done with Kaden, he’ll regret the day he used my feelings and manipulated me.

“And I’m here to prove to you I’ll never do that again.” I clasp my hands on my lap and look at her for a fraction of a second. This time, she smiles. Good. Buy the lies I tell you while I wrap them around your neck until I can strangle you with them.

“Kaden, Abigail, Blake, and Bailey are already an established team. Kaden leads them as it should be.”

I feel her gaze on me, yet my heart could be tearing and still, no sign would betray me to the untrained eye.

“Every one of them has a certain role to fulfill. Their futures are already set in stone. But you… what am I going to do with you?”

She places the cup down. Sighing, she tilts her head to the side. A pensive expression stretches the corners of her eyes.

“Please give me a chance to prove myself. That’s all I yearn for, Grandmother. Whatever you decide, I will accept.”

“And I will test that.”

Good, because I need access, and I can’t do that if I am not on the inside.

“You look just like him.”

Hatred spills from her. I take it as a compliment.

“I wonder if Cassandra would have been okay with how I raised you.” Is she going soft?

“But then again, she should thank me for taking care of the person responsible for her death.”

There’s no point in telling her I had nothing to do with my parents’ accident. It doesn’t help that I have no memory of that day.

I’ve tried so hard to remember what happened back then, but in vain. I’ve carried the guilt of my parents’ deaths for years, and not even my father’s assurances of my innocence could lighten the burden. This time, an actual tear slips from my eye. For my parents. Even though my hopes that my mother is alive are minimal. But if she is, I’ll find her.

I watch Grandmother, deep in thought, lips downcast. She’s still grieving. That doesn’t seem right… or it’s a very good con.

“Kaden, Abigail, Blake, and Bailey are coming to dinner. Be ready.”

I nod. She lifts her hand, and I kiss it.

“Thank you for this chance. I won’t disappoint you.”

“The reason I’m giving you this second chance is because you’re the daughter of my daughter. You will be my eyes and inform me about the other heirs’ behavior.”

“It will be my honor.”

I am not a professional actor. Even with my extensive training, I need to collect myself after every test when the adrenaline crashes.

She calls for Thomas, who swiftly appears, and informs him to drive me to my old house. What an honor.

As I leave the house, the staff’s reaction varies from hushed whispers to outright gaping.

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