"I hope not," Maria said. "But his family has a certain reputation. He seems nice enough, but the rest of the family can be pretty fierce. You need to watch your back with them."

"I appreciate the warning," she said. "But I've dealt with Uncle Lawson, and I can deal with them."

​​

Maria sighed, "Your uncle is an ambitious and unscrupulous man, and you're not his match. You may have your new husband on your side, but I wouldn't count on his support in everything—who knows what his family is pressuring him to do."

Maria paused and took Catherine's hands in hers. Catherine couldn't help but notice that the once soft, elegant hands had become coarse and callused.

"Just promise me you won't do anything foolish or sudden," Maria said. "And if anything happens, talk to me first."

"I promise I'll get back everything Uncle Lawson has taken from you," Catherine said.

"The money isn't important," Maria said, squeezing Catherine's hands tighter. "Family is important. We just got you back, and I'm scared to lose you again."

"Don't worry," Catherine said, looking at the idling car. "I have to go now, but I'll be back for a visit."

She pulled her hands away from Maria and walked back to the car. As she went, she heard Samuel whisper.

"She's not how I remember her," Samuel said. "She's really different."

"She's grown up," Maria whispered back. "Suffering will do that to a person, and I can only imagine what pain she's been through. I just hope she won't suffer again. Lawson is a dangerous man, and so is Sean. She's just a child, but she's up against sharks."

Catherine bit her lip as she walked away. Maria thought she was an innocent 19-year-old girl who knew nothing of the world, but she had years of terrible experiences to guide her. She slipped into the car and watched the apartment building disappear out of sight.

She chewed her lip, lost in thought. Samuel was her father's son and her half brother, but her uncle had claimed he was a bastard and kicked him out of the house. Instead of protesting, she'd teased and mocked and bullied him. Now, he lived in a terrible neighborhood, but despite all odds remained a bright and friendly kid. He deserved a better life, and she was determined to give it to him.

"I knew you didn't like them, but why to go visit them and give them those gifts?" he asked.

"Why would you think that?" she snapped.

"You never speak to them, and they weren't invited to the wedding," he said. "And the look on your face is quite fierce." He smiled as if her anger amused him.

"They're my family," she said. "I love them. It's true we haven't spoken in a while—things got complicated after my dad died."

"I see," Sean said.

"What were the gifts, anyway?" she asked.

Sean shrugged and said, "Ask Levi."

Levi caught her eye in the rearview mirror, "I prepared the gifts. There are several bottles of aged scotch and whiskey, some fine teas, and some cigars. Those were meant for Mr. Stewart. And then there was a set of emerald jewelry for Mrs. Stewart and some skincare products and handbags for Miss Stewart."

Catherine felt a blush rise to her cheeks. Maria and Samuel had no use for such luxury products. She frowned, suddenly embarrassed. What if they were offended by the gifts? What if the presents just reminded them of everything they had lost?

"Those are very generous gifts," she finally said. "But the Stewart family doesn't need anything."

Sean watched her throughout the drive. Though she dried to ignore his cool, thoughtful gaze, she couldn't shake the feeling he was appraising her. She wondered if he liked what he saw.

Her phone vibrated, and she saw her uncle's number. Though she was tempted to ignore the call, she answered.

"Where are you?" her uncle snapped. "We were expecting you already."

"We're on the way," she said. "Expect us in half an hour."

"We?" he asked, his tone softening. "Is Sean with you?"

"He is," she said.

"Oh, wonderful, wonderful," her uncle said. "We can't wait to see you."

She hung up the phone and slipped it back into her purse. She didn't have the patience for him. She already knew he'd spend the whole afternoon trying to suck up to Sean, and the thought made her stomach turn.

"Are you sure you don't have any meetings or anything today?" she asked Sean.

"I don't," he said.

"But maybe there's an urgent business matter you have to check on?" she suggested.

"What are you trying to say?" he asked.

"I just want you to know that I have no problem going on my own," she said. "I don't expect you to rearrange your work schedule on my account."

Sean's eyes narrowed, "You're saying you don't want me to come with you."

She sighed, "In a way, yes."

"Why not?" he asked.

"I know my uncle well," she finally said. "He's an ambitious man, and he's always looking for shoulders to stand on."

Sean chuckled, "I'm not worried about that. My shoulders are a bit out of his reach."

"Perhaps," she said. "But he can be quite convincing. He doesn't see people, he just sees dollar signs, prestige, and personal favors."

"He's your uncle," Sean said.

"And that's exactly how I know what kind of man she is," she said flatly.

Her uncle was her mother's brother, and he used that relationship to control her. He claimed that Maria was an intruder, painting her as the stereotypical evil stepmother. He told Catherine that Maria wanted to make sure her father's money went to Samuel and that he was the only one who could protect Catherine from Maria's evil plans. Catherine shook her head—she couldn't believe she'd listened to his lies.

The car pulled up to the gate of the house, and her heart hammered in her chest. Uncle Lawson stood at the gate and gave them a big friendly wave. Hot rage pulsed through her body—how dare he treat her like a visitor at her own home.

The car pulled to a smooth stop in front of the door, and her uncle rushed over to clasp Sean's hand in his. He pumped it up and down all the while, flashing a large, fake smile.

"Mr. Blair, we're so happy to have you here," he said. "But please come inside, the sun is so bright today."

He barely glanced at Catherine as he led the way through the double wooden doors into the entry hall. Antique vases filled with fresh flowers, lined the credenzas on both sides of the room. The smell reminded Catherine of a funeral.

She followed her uncle into the living room where her aunt and Madison lounged on two hideous new sofas. She looked around the room in horror. All of her father's antique furniture was gone, replaced by modern chrome, glass, and concrete monstrosities.

"Welcome, Sean," said her Aunt Melanie. "Please sit down and make yourself comfortable. Will you have a cup of tea before lunch?"

Catherine clenched her hands into fists and sat down on one of the new sofas. Sean sat next to her and looked around the room. His face was calm and expressionless, but she couldn't help but wonder what he thought of her family's terrible taste.

A woman bustled into the room, carrying a silver tray with fine china cups and a porcelain teapot. She placed it on the glass table in the middle of the room and disappeared without a word.

"Please, Sean, allow me to serve you," Madison said.

Catherine glared at her cousin. The words "serve you" dripped with double entendre, and for a moment, she felt fiercely jealous.

"No need," Sean said, reaching for a cup.

"I'd love it if you served me some tea, though," Catherine said.

Madison glared at her, "Of course."

"I'll do it for you, wife," Sean said.

Madison laughed a short, fake laugh, "I almost forgot you two are married."

"That's so funny," Catherine said, copying the laugh. "I mean, after all, you were at the wedding and wearing the wedding dress."

Madison's eyes flashed, and her face turned bright red, "That was a mistake."

"Some mistake," Catherine said, pretending to wipe a tear of laughter away from her eye. "Can you imagine what would have happened if we hadn't been caught? You would be married to Sean instead of me."

Though Madison's cheeks were already flaming, they turned even darker, "That wouldn't have happened."

"Oh, no?" Catherine asked. "I mean, you would have had a very handsome husband. Don't you think so?"

"I—I—no, I don't," Madison stammered.

"Really?" Catherine asked. "How strange."