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“Probably not. You’re good for it. You’re rich.”

“So were you.”

He pulled an ugly scowl while wringing my wrists.

“Ouch,” I cried.

A man walking by stopped to help, and Bram said, “Tonight, or else. I meant it. Weekly.” He ran off.

“Are you okay?” the stranger asked.

I nodded, despite tears falling down my cheeks.

“Do you wish me to call the police?”

I shook my head. Knowing Bram, he’d still send that soul-destroying tape somewhere.

Clouded by all these dark thoughts, I drifted along. Instead of catching a taxi, I ended up walking past boutiques I’d normally pause at, checking for the latest range, only now it was all a blur.

After an hour of walking, my feet ached. Heels hadn’t helped. I’d become accustomed to flatter shoes since returning from Lochridge. Carson preferred me shorter. He enjoyed tucking his chin over my head. I smiled sadly at that sweet random thought, having almost forgotten about him with that sexy blonde.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I nearly walked straight into Manon and, oh god, (could it get worse?) Bethany.

My evil half-sister’s back.

Maybe she’d never left. Every time Bethany came up in conversation, my mother would quickly shut down.

“Oh” escaped my mouth.

“That’s not a nice way to greet family.” Bethany looked stunning in a red Chanel suit. Her long dark hair, in soft waves, framed the same milky complexion as my mother’s.

“The last time we met, you were being dragged away by the police,” I said.

“They couldn’t pin anything on me.” She still sounded like she’d come from some council estate, unlike Manon, who was secretly taking elocution lessons, encouraged by my mother, who couldn’t have her granddaughter sounding cockney.

“I hear you’re marrying that hunky Carson,” Manon said, wearing her competitive I-want-what-you-have face.

That could have been me being paranoid, but I’d noticed her flirty smiles. It was no secret that Drake was her crush, but Manon loved to be the centre of attraction.

“I wouldn’t have thought he was your type,” I said.

“They’re all my type. Depends on what they can do for us.” She glanced at her mother, and Bethany remained stony-faced. Her mask was still in place.

“Are you returning to Merivale?” I asked Bethany.

She laughed coldly. “I don’t wish to upset Mummy dearest. She has nothing I want now. I’m pretty set up. I’ve got my nice Edwardian home in Highgate.”

“Getting it all cosy for when Will gets out of prison.” I didn’t hide the darkness in my voice. Will killed my father despite some other beast doing the deed.

“I’ve moved on. I’m now with a lord.” She looked at Manon and grinned, as though she’d won a prize. “He’s loaded.”

“So Will ruined his life for nothing?”

“He had me for fifteen years. I wouldn’t say that’s nothing. I once charged you know.”

Manon shrugged as though this disturbing insight into her mother’s past was part and parcel of being alive.

“Okay, then.” I turned my back to them. I couldn’t bring myself to even wave goodbye.

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