The Inheritance Clause
"Then I will spend every resource I have hunting him down. Every connection, every dollar, every ounce of power this family has. And I will make sure he regrets ever touching someone I love."
The last word hung in the air.
"Love?" Elena whispered.
"Yes, love. I love you, Elena. I don't know when it happened or how, but I do. And I'm not losing you or your mother to some bitter, obsessed ghost of Victoria's past."
Elena kissed him. Hard and desperate and terrified. When they pulled apart, both were breathing heavily.
"I love you too," she said. "Which is why this is so awful. If something happens to my mom—"