Chapter 3

Karen continued, "I just heard from the servants that it was a gift from you. How thoughtful of you! It has really protected me and the baby."

So, the blessing I had earned through blood and devotion had become nothing more than a trinket Karl could casually give to his new love.

The air froze for a second. I could feel my second brother's rage igniting behind me, but I just stared quietly at the charm in her hand for a full three seconds.

"Oh, that?" My voice was light and carefree. "I'd forgotten about it. Bought it from a souvenir shop at the church. Ten bucks for three. It looked nice, so I grabbed some. Since you like picking up other people's trash, it's yours."

I ignored her frozen smile and walked off. Steve shot her a glare and hurried after me.

His voice trembled with heartache. "Tabitha, don't hold it in. I know you're hurting. Remember those 'blind boxes' I made of all the eligible young heirs in the city? You can draw one at random. Whoever you pick, I'll tie him up and bring him to you tomorrow. I guarantee he'll be better than Karl."

I said nothing, letting him drag me back to my room. Sure enough, stacks of boxes were piled there. He hadn't been joking.

I casually grabbed one from the top, didn't even look at it, and shoved it into his arms. My voice was flat. "This one."

He looked down at the name on the card inside and stiffened. "Well, this guy might not be the best choice. How about we pick another? I can get you someone better."

"Why change?" A calm, lazy voice suddenly came from the open doorway.

Steve and I looked over simultaneously. There stood a man leaning casually against the doorframe, amusement flickering in his eyes. It wasn't clear how long he'd been there.

He smirked, "Just because I'm Karl's sworn enemy?"

"Richard Torres," Steve sulked, "you've already got enough women fluttering around you. Leave my sister alone."

I motioned for him to be quiet and sized up the man.

"You're good-looking," I said at last. "Better than Karl. Get ready to marry me."

Richard Torres straightened up from the doorframe. "Alright. I'll go handle my messes. You deal with yours."

He stepped aside with a smirk, and a tall shadow became visible in the hallway. It was none other than Karl.

Richard chuckled, walked over to me, and leaned close to whisper in my ear, "Next Tuesday, I'll come pick you up for our wedding."

...

After Richard and Steve left, I turned to face Karl. "Since when do you enjoy eavesdropping?"

He stepped out of the shadows. "What did you say to Richard?"

I realized he hadn't heard our conversation earlier. I lay back and said indifferently, "Does it concern you?"

His fists clenched, then loosened. He sighed, "The sapphire necklace you wanted is one of a kind. I risked everything to get it for you."

I gave it a careless glance, then swept it off the table. "I have a dozen like it in my cabinet. What makes you think this would make me forgive you?"

His eyes dimmed, and he started slapping himself until blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. He pleaded, "I'm begging you. Let Karen and the baby go. I'm the one who betrayed you. Do whatever you want to me to vent your anger."

I arched a brow and lifted his chin with one finger. "What if I want you to die?"

He looked shocked, wounded.

Unimpressed, I turned to the door and called over Brenda. I bent down to pick up the necklace and handed it to her.