"If the engagement can't be called off, then I'll marry his uncle, Louis Sterling, instead."I lightly traced the rim of my teacup with my fingertip. My voice was firm and unwavering.My mother's eyes widened in horror. She quickly covered my mouth and apologized to the Sterlings.Then she leaned toward me and whispered, "Queenie! What nonsense are you talking about? Louis is practically useless now!"She glanced at Mr. Sterling Senior, then lowered her voice even further."That lunatic was rumored to be impotent even when he was healthy, and now he's disabled! He's always been a cold-blooded killer who wouldn't bat an eye at taking a life. And when he beats someone, he shows absolutely no mercy."Are you trying to get yourself killed?"I gently rubbed her hand, trying to reassure her, and forced a faint smile."It's okay, Mom. At this point, it doesn't matter to me who I marry."An image of Benjamin Sterling and my older sister, Rebecca Beaumont, tangled together in bed involuntarily
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