17

Jardine winced as Adira's words hit her heart like a ton of bricks. She felt her head spin, wishing she hadn't heard correctly.

kneel before her? For what reason? What sort of humiliation was that?

Her gaze waned as she looked at Adira who had a smug smile on her face. She felt her heart clench in her chest. Kneeling before her was going to be more than an humiliation. How could she even suggest such a thing?

"I'm sorry, but..." she stared downward and scoffed. "Why would you even want me to do that?"

Adira gave a subdued eye roll. "Why else? You want my forgiveness, right? So, you should be willing to do anything to get it. Now, kneel before me, and I might give it some consideration."

Jardine fisted her hands beside her. Never did she expect life to take such a turn on her. Nineteen months ago, who was Adira to even stand in her presence and talk back at her? She was a nobody! How could she have the nerve to sit there and make such a ridiculous request?

She was tempted to leave—just