Chapter 4

The engagement party went ahead as planned. Alice moved through the crowd on Conrad's arm as though she'd won.

But halfway through the party, the strap of her gown suddenly snapped.

Alice clutched her chest, turned pale, and threw herself into Conrad's arms. "One of the maids said Vera sent me this dress as an engagement present. I never thought..."

Every eye in the room turned to me.

"I heard she's the girl Conrad took in. She's been clinging to him this whole time!"

"I've seen plenty of girls like her. He's engaged, and she still has the nerve to live here. Now she's humiliated his fiancée in front of everyone. What a nasty piece of work!"

As the guests jeered, I opened my mouth to defend myself, but then I saw Conrad's face darken. He spoke in a low voice.

"Vera, did you do this?"

"No." I lifted my chin and met his eyes, trying to keep my voice steady. "I never sent that dress, and I never asked anyone to pass on a message."

Conrad studied me for a long moment, then pressed his lips together. "Alice, there might be a misunderstanding."

Something venomous flashed in Alice's eyes. Then she burst into tears again.

"Vera, why are you lying? You had Emma bring me that dress! Why won't you admit it?"

Emma Lowe was the maid who'd always looked after me. Frowning, Conrad had her brought into the hall to explain herself.

When she arrived, I hurried over and took her hands, relieved. "Emma, tell them! Did I ever ask you to take a dress to Alice?"

Emma let me hold her hands, but she stammered and couldn't get a word out, her eyes darting away.

"Say something!" I urged, growing uneasy.

But Emma glanced at Alice and yanked her hands away. "Miss Vera, didn't you say you wanted to teach Alice a lesson? You said trash like her didn't deserve Mr. Kincaid."

I froze where I stood and stared at her in disbelief. "What did you say?"

Emma had been by my side since I came to the estate. We were close. When her mother fell seriously ill, I'd even paid for her treatment.

I couldn't believe she'd turned on me and joined Alice in framing me...

"No, that's not true. I didn't..." I looked to Conrad on instinct.

"Uncle Conrad, believe me. I didn't do this. You believe me, don't you?" I grabbed his sleeve, my voice shaking.

Conrad glanced down at my hand clutching his sleeve and closed his eyes for a moment. Then he turned his face away and slowly tugged free.

His eyes turned cold. "Vera, you've thrown away the last of my trust.

"They're right. I spoiled you, and that's why you think you can hurt someone like this. I won't indulge you anymore."

Then he turned to one of his men. "Lock her in her room. No one sees her without my permission."

He said it slowly, and every word cut deep.

I stared at Conrad's hard face. My throat closed up, and I couldn't get a word out. I knew that no matter what I said, he'd never believe me.

I let my hand drop and went numbly as the guards dragged me to my room.

Locked inside, I stared at the closed door and listened to the laughter drifting up from downstairs.

It felt like a fist was squeezing my heart, and the ache wouldn't let up...

I didn't know how long I'd been there when Alice's voice came through the door.

"Conrad said to lock Vera in the basement cell. That'll give her time to think about what she did today!"

My heart clenched. I had severe claustrophobia.

When my family was attacked, I'd hidden in a wardrobe for three whole days and watched my parents die right in front of me. The memory had scarred me for life.

Conrad knew that. When he found me, he'd promised never to make me face that kind of darkness again...

But now, for Alice's sake, he was sending me into the cell and using my worst fear to punish me.

I went cold all over.

The guards did as Alice said and dragged me down there. Panic surged through me as I stared into the darkness.

I threw myself against the door and begged, "Let me out! Uncle Conrad, I was wrong. Don't lock me in here. I'm scared!

"Please, I know I was wrong..."

I screamed until my voice gave out, but there was no answer from the other side of the door.

I wrapped my arms around myself and curled up in a corner. Images of that bloody day kept flooding back, and I couldn't stop crying.

I didn't know how much time had passed when the door finally opened. I looked up, overjoyed, only to see Alice.

She walked in slowly with a metal box. Inside were the things my parents had left me.

"Look what I found."

"Give that back! You have no right to touch it!" I lunged for my parents' things, but she kicked me hard in the chest. I fell to the floor, unable to catch my breath.

Then Alice took out a lighter and set fire to the only photo I had with my parents...

"No! Alice! Give them back! Please!"

I reached for it in desperation, but she smiled and dropped the burning photo into the box. Flames engulfed my father's pocket watch, my mother's scarf, and her lesson plan notebook in an instant!

I fought and screamed, trying to put out the fire, but someone pinned me to the floor. All I could do was watch the last things my parents had left me turn to ash.

Alice watched me thrash in agony and burst out laughing. She ground the toe of her high heel into my hand. The pain was excruciating.

"That's what you get for competing with me. Who do you think you are? Let me tell you, the only lady of this house is going to be me!"

Then she and her people left me with the mess.

I lay on the floor, scooping the ashes back into the metal box one handful at a time, tears streaming down my face.

Three days later, the cell door finally opened, and I was taken back to my room.

Graham sent a maid to help me clean up. I held the metal box the whole time without saying a word.

Before long, Conrad came in. When he saw my injured hand, his brows drew together. "How did this happen? Has anyone treated it?"

I pulled my hand away and sat there without answering. I didn't look at him.

Pain flashed across Conrad's face. He lowered his head and said softly, "Don't blame me. I didn't want to do this to you either. But Vera, you went too far this time."

He reached for my face, but I jerked away. When I looked up at him, all I felt was disgust.

Conrad froze as if I'd stung him. After a moment, he pulled his hand back and stood. "Alice booked our wedding photo shoot for today. I have to go with her. Get some rest."

My hands tightened around the metal box. I didn't say a word.

As soon as I heard the car leave the estate, I got up. I took the luggage I'd packed days ago, sent Graham on an errand, and carried the metal box to the front gate.

Before getting into the taxi, I took one last look at the estate where I'd lived for ten years. Then I left without looking back.

Conrad, from now on, we'll never see each other again.