“Forgive me.” Aretha dabbed at her eyes with the corner of her sheet. “I know it’s foolish to ask, but...has the sheikh found someone? In my absence?” She let out a watery laugh. “I would understand, of course. It’s been over a year. He must have thought me dead.”
The maid’s hesitation stretched longer this time.
Very interesting.
“There have been...rumors, milady.”
“Rumors?”
“About the sheikh and...” The maid’s gaze darted to the door. “And Lady Aurora.”
Aretha went still.
Of course.
Her sweet, simpering, golden-haired little sister. The one who had always looked at her with those big, hopeful eyes, desperate for approval. The one who had followed Mik’hail around like a lovesick puppy, thinking no one noticed.
Oh, but Aretha had noticed.
She had seen the way the sheikh’s eyes followed Aurora when he thought no one was watching. Had seen the softness in his expression, the hunger he tried so hard to hide. It had burned her then, that knowledge. Burned like acid in her chest, knowing that her own betrothed wanted her plain, clumsy, illegitimate sister more than he had ever wanted her.
And now, it seemed, he had finally taken what he wanted.
“I see,” Aretha murmured. “Thank you for telling me.”
The maid curtsied again and fled, clearly relieved to escape.
Aretha stared at the ceiling, her hands folded neatly over her stomach.
While a lovely kitten like her was away, that ugly little mouse had thought it was her turn to play with her royal toy. Probably even thought she was meant to live happily-ever-after.
Aurora, you jealous little bitch.
The girl never did understand what her place, and it was only because of their parents that Aretha had forced herself to tolerate her presence. But now that it was just the two of them...
Aretha started making plans in her mind.
Mik’hail would not be easy to manipulate, but if she played her cards right, she wouldn’t have to do anything. Her stupid little sister would do it all for her instead.
****
BY THE TIME AURORAcame to visit her that afternoon, Aretha was able to school her expression into something sisterly...even though all she felt was contempt the moment Aurora entered the room.
“Aretha...”
Aurora rushed forward at Aretha’s weak smile, and Aretha made herself say the usual things so as not to arouse suspicion.
No, it’s not your fault.
Of course I know you’ve tried your best to look for me.
I’m sorry, Aurora. I don’t want to talk about what happened for now.
And finally, Aretha forced herself to reach for her sister’s hand. “I want to take this chance to say what I should have told you so many years ago.”
“W-What is it?”
“I’m so sorry for being such a terrible sister to you all these years.” Aretha let her lower lip tremble. “Before the accident. I was jealous and petty and cruel, and I treated you so badly. I’ve had over a year to think about it, lying in that awful little cottage, not knowing who I was or where I came from. And when my memories finally returned...” She drew a shaky breath. “All I could think about was how horrible I’d been to you. My own sister. The only family I have left.”
