Chapter 12

• Anna’s heart ached as she watched me endure their cruelty. Unlike me, bound by decorum and pride, she had no such restraints.
• Her voice trembled with emotion as she stepped forward, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I may be just a humble maid, but I know right from wrong. You stand here as a celebrated woman, a force to be reckoned with. And yet, you’ve chosen to interfere in another woman’s marriage, using power and status as a shield. How is that honorable?"
• Before she could finish, Adrian’s hand lashed out, striking her hard across the face. The sharp crack echoed through the room.