Chapter 3
“Not wanting to talk to the mistress’s son because I find it filthy–is that a good enough reason for you?”
After we left, Lynda looked at me, cautious and a little worried. “Are you possessed or something?“–4
I can’t say I blamed her for asking. Back in high school, I’d worn my feelings for Trevor on my sleeve, so obvious it might as well have been tattooed across my forehead.
I’d wait for him after class every day so we could walk home together. I’d burn my fingers baking cookies, then still show up at his door with a smile and a plateful of half–mangled treats.
Everyone knew I adored him. It was an open secret–no, it wasn’t even a secret./
But things are different now.
The Corinna who started senior year? She’s dead and gone.%
The girl standing here today–this is Corinna reborn.”
Julie was nowhere to be seen the whole day. I suppose that tracks; her greatest pride is that pretty face of hers. She wouldn’t waste it on anything less than the perfect moment.%
I could wait. I had all the patience in the world.
Soon enough, Saturday rolled around–my eighteenth birthday.
My parents had promised a grand party to celebrate me becoming an adult, but, as usual, something came up at the company and they’d be late.
The chandelier blazed overhead, scattering rainbows across the marble floor. I smoothed down my cocktail dress and made my way down the spiral staircase into the living room.2
Across the room, I spotted my brother–Daniel Gardner. He looked every inch the part in his sharp suit, his face as unreadable as always.
“Corinna, come here,” he called out, voice clipped and cool.
I walked over, pretending not to notice Trevor standing behind him, eyes dark and unreadable, or Julie, who looked like she was two seconds from bursting into tears. I gave my brother my sweetest smile. “What’s up, Daniel? Did you get me a present?“Z
He just stared at me, ice in his eyes. “Bullying classmates, insulting your friends–Corinna, is that what the Gardner family taught you?“?
He didn’t bother to lower his voice. In an instant, every guest in the room turned to stare.2
“Daniel, what are you talking about? I have no idea what you mean.” I tilted my head, glancing at Julie. “Who did I bully? When did that even happen? I don’t even know her.“%
“It’s too late to play innocent. Actions have consequences. Mom and Dad aren’t here, so tonight, I’ll be the one to discipline you.“2
With that, Daniel reached for a ruler from the bookshelf–a ruler, for God’s sake. He fixed me with a glare and spoke each word like a verdict. “Kneel.“2
The entire ballroom seemed to hold its breath. Guests whispered, eyes gleaming as they waited for the spectacle.
“Did you hear? The Gardner girl–bullying classmates?“?
“I guess it’s not surprising. Spoiled kids like her can’t stand anyone outshining them.”
“At least her brother’s putting her in her place.“%
Julie’s gaze was triumphant, smug. I straightened my back, smiled, and let my tongue fly:
“What the hell are you even talking about, Daniel? Anyone who knows you would recognize you, but if they didn’t, they’d think you were some Victorian ghost come to
haunt us.”2
“I only kneel for the dead, for my ancestors–not for you.”
I tilted my head, sizing him up, then smirked, my voice wickedly sweet. “Tell you what: go throw yourself off a building right now, and I’ll kneel and bow three times to send you off“}
Daniel’s expression darkened.
Behind him, Julie piped up with a fragile voice, all wide eyes and trembling lips. “Corinna, I know you don’t like me, and it’s fine if you pick on me, but how could you say something like that to your own brother?”
She blinked, big tears welling up, doing her best impression of a porcelain doll.
Trevor’s jaw tightened. Something flickered behind his eyes, something I couldn’t quite read.
He finally spoke up, voice low. “Corinna, if you made a mistake, just apologize. There’s no need to-“W
I widened my eyes, feigning confusion. “Sorry, I don’t speak dog. Could you repeat that in a language we humans can understand?“%
“That’s enough!” Daniel snapped, his voice cracking like a whip. “Corinna, do you have any sense of shame? Who taught you to talk this way, to act like you’ve never heard of manners in your life?*%
Some things never changed. No matter what I said, Daniel would never believe me.
