The threat was absolute, and it was the breaking point. The hypocrisy, the control, the fact that she was punishing Tanya, my only true connection, for a fight she'd just witnessed. All the years of biting my tongue, enduring the cold demands, and sacrificing everything for the company—it all came roaring out.
I took a step toward her, my hands clenched into fists. For the first time in my adult life, I raised my voice to her.
"Why?!" I demanded, my voice cracking with years of suppressed anger. "Why her? Why did you force me into that marriage? Tanya is my friend. Her parents died! She is not some social climber; she's family! Why do you hate her so much?! Why did you bring that girl..Nova …into my life just to tear down the one stable thing I have?"
The silence that followed was terri
