In that moment, the surrounding guests lowered their voices to whisper among themselves."How tragic. Their own flesh and blood, publicly cast out.""She just wasn't born to wealth, I suppose. Three years back in the family, and she still reeks of small-town manners.""Now look at Cathleen. She's someone with class. Exactly what you'd expect from the Newark family's careful upbringing."I kept my head down, my shoulders trembling slightly.Cathleen Newark thought I was crying. She gathered the hem of her six-figure haute couture dress and strode smugly over to me, her voice dripping with false gentleness."Abby, don't be sad. Even though Mom and Dad gave me the shares, we'll always be family. As long as you're willing, there will always be a place for you at the Newark family table."My biological mother, Rita Rowan, stood nearby, her face twisted with disgust as she shielded Cathleen as though I carried some contagious disease."Cathleen, you're too kind! Why waste words on an
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