tin'

let out a startled gasp as he slipped from her

en, his mouth trembled, and silent tears began pouring down his cheeks. He didn't

dramatically, immediate

ments were less about a mother's genuine concern and entirely a calculated performance to grab Co

rantically checking Pip's hurt leg, his face filled with pure dist

use her own child's pain just to secure a man's pity. And a blind, hypocritical Lord wh

ans are already weak; he can't handle being jostled around. I'll

oward his luxurious carriage with the child, treating Pip li

of my past life had thoroughly numbed me. In this lif

dust, leaving just me, Ansley, and her pat

as her. I turned toward the magnificent i

Conrad?" Ansley's voi

didn't bother

y shoulder. When she spoke again, all the fragility and tears were

ue colors fully exposed. "Lord Collin belongs to me. The future Lady of Fleming Castle will only ever

ooked at her. "Are you finis

pected me to scream, cry, or slap her again-anything she could use to pl

just putting on a brave face. Without the protection of the Dragon L

so incredibly short-sighted, so pathetically

over her. "All you want is a fancy noble title and a life of e

ecy. "Soon, Collin Fleming won't even have a copper coin to his name, let

of color. "What... wha

Enjoy your stolen gowns and your little illusions of grandeur while they las

ildered, panicked face and forcefully