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"Oh, let me, please!"
She approaches me, looking more enthusiastic than I've ever seen her. I hand her my hairbrush, and she begins to brush through my hair with gentle motions. It's actually quite nice, and I find myself leaning against her touch, my eyes fluttering closed as she works out the tangles.
“I used to do this with Lily Anna every night.” She smiles to herself affectionately as she runs the brush through my hair. “It was our moment. I felt so close to her then. Closer than I’ve ever felt to Tatianna.”
She seems to catch herself saying those words, and her hand holding the hairbrush lingers above my head for a moment. She feels guilty, I can tell. But she doesn’t take the words back.
"But of course, I'm not Lily Anna," I say coldly, feeling like I'm slicing a knife through Bryony's heart. "I am a whole different person. You know that, right?"
Her eyes meet mine in the mirror, and she hesitates with the brush poised over my hair.
"Of course," she chirps, going back to brushing my hair. "Of course I know that."
She yanks on a tangle so hard I cry out, trying to move away, but she grabs me by the shoulder, her long nails digging into the tender skin there.
"Stay still," she barks out. "We're not done yet."
Horrified, I look at her in the mirror. She's not even here anymore. She switches back to the gentle brushing method, starting to hum a barely audible song. I realize it's a lullaby a moment later, and it gives me the creeps. But I'm too scared to stop her. I just sit there and let her brush through my hair like I'm some fucked up doll for my stepmother to play with.
Poor Lily Anna.
Thirteen
Pandora
"Welcome."
My father extends a hand to one of his business associates, giving it a firm squeeze.
"So pleased to see you."
Bryony smiles her 24-karat smile, stunning the guests with her surgically enhanced appearance. My half-brother and half-sister stand to the side, saying their hellos in bored voices. I'm the outcast again. They've forced me into a red dress and heels, and everyone's pretending like I belong here even though it's plainly obvious I'd rather be anywhere but in Eden Falls.
When there’s a lull in between guests, Bryony leans forward to speak to me.
“You look pretty in that dress,” she tells me with a bright smile. “You know, it used to belong to Lily Anna.”
Her words make me stop in my tracks and I freeze on the spot.
“Your father still thinks about her,” Bryony sighs.
I steal a glance at my father. He returns my gaze, his expression softening for once. It really seems like Bryony is right… and I can make this work in my favor.
"Dexter!"
Father beams, clapping my fiancé on the back while I blush violently. Great. Just what I fucking needed.
"So good to see you, and early for once!" father chuckles, and he and Dex exchange smiles.
The boy won't even look at me, refusing to acknowledge that I'm there, and I hate him for it, although not as much as I hate myself for craving his approval.
"It's good to see you as well," Dexter says politely, letting his gaze wander over my stepmother appreciatively before moving to Tianna.
I'm officially grossed out, and he hasn't even addressed me yet.
"I'll see you inside," father gives him a curt nod, and Dexter walks inside the Estate without missing a beat.
When he walks in, he bumps me with his shoulder, making me stumble back a few steps. I glare at him, but he doesn't even acknowledge me, which pisses me off even more.
