Chapter 16

• "You and your brothers got along well, even becoming close, according to all accounts of your marriage. Elena went off the rails after the unfortunate death of your father in a car accident and sued everyone she could, leaving you and your three siblings to fend for yourselves. Her two sons did well, but not you. As you entered puberty, your height increased and your body became more pronounced. When you were 15, you were practically at your current height, which is astonishing because I don't know many women taller than me. Because you had no one else to turn to, you were cruelly taunted and bullied in school. Is everything still going well? "as she sipped her beverage, she inquired.
• Amanda nodded numbly, afraid of what this woman was about to say.
• "It was only when Elena found out and blamed you that Alecks admitted to seducing you and stealing your virginity. You were his filthy little secret until Elena found out and put a stop to it. Accusing you of being a walking abomination, she said that the only way anyone would even look at you was if you were naked in front of her two sons. She and her sons packed up and left, leaving you to fend for yourself. She gave you a meager allowance while you finished school and worked your way up the ladder at the business, and you began to make a modest profit once more." As Amanda spoke, she hesitated.