No recognition.
Only hatred feelings.
I shrug it off and try to make my point. They better see me as the monster they already think I am. I look at Eliane who gives me an encouraging nod.
“I have taken something from Gwen. The first time I saw her was in the forest. A girl who jumped at everything and told me her daddy usually took care of things,” I begin. My voice is low and heavy and I swallow as I push the next words out of my mouth. “She has been a spoiled brat since the day I saw her. So what would have been better than stealing her fortune.” Some people’s jaw drops and someone shouts.
“Don’t you have enough money yet?!”
I ignore the accusation and stroll to the other side of the podium, my hands in my pockets. I shake my head in disbelief, looking over the crowd until my eyes finally land on Eliane.
“I stole her parents’ inheritance and will, with the thought of destroying it after, but I don’t need to—and I am not the villain in this story.” I put extra emphasis on the word not. Something breaks in my heart. It is brutal to tell her this. My gaze lingers to Gwen. Her eyes are focused on me as I look at her. Her face is as white as a ghost, and she looks like she would love to crawlaway on her knees if that would mean not being part of this live embarrassment.
“Here I have it.” I show everyone the will and inheritance. I turn the paper to her, and then back to the crowd again.
“You are not their real child. You’re as good as bankrupt.”
I jump off the podium, strolling towards Gwen who looks more dead than alive right now. I press the paper in her hands and walk away.
There are no people cheering.
No clapping.
Only shock.
And even though I like silence, I am not sure it is a good thing this time.
Chapter 26
Eliane
Gwen went on stage after Braxton told her one of the biggest shocks of her life. Her lips trembled and no more words left her mouth except for the important ones. She told everyone she had Kailey and took her some of her mom’s family’s old jewelry. Sadly enough for Gwen, she arrived back at the palace too late. That didn’t matter for Braxton’s presentation, though. It was brilliant. Hazel went after, showing everyone Delilah’s name with no fear. Hazel looks sweet, but fierce and I am kind of scared that she will find out what I did and will hate me for it. Hazel stole Delilah’s letters to her long-lost parents.
Smart.
Delilah gets called up next. She strolls onto stage and something feels off as she smiles from ear to ear. I am not sure I have ever seen her smile before and it is not something I want to see again. It creeps me more than it makes me happy. I break through Braxton’s wall again and get in. He always has a small light streak peeking through the stones off his mental walls and something tells me it is for me.
“She has me.”
He spins his face, looking at me.
“How do you know?” he asks, lifting his face a bit, narrowing his eyes as he scans her.
“It is a girl thing, with our water or something. I just know. Just like with Hazel.” I wave my hand at him, trying to stove the pot I just lighted, but he looks worried. As I already expected my name is printed onto the paper she takes out of her bra. She looks evil. Like a person out of a horror movie who would haunt me at night. Even the color of her lilac dress does not have enough color to change that.
Think of good things, Eliane. I open and open every door over and over again, but I can’t seem to find any.
She nods at the guards standing behind the king, signaling them to act. Instead of walking toward her like they do with every other candidate, they step aside to reveal a girl standing between them.
A girl I recognize.
Dark brown hair, porcelain skin, and beautiful lashes.
A face I trust.
A face that brought comfort and relief.
Annie.
