The moment I stepped out of the cathedral, camera flashes exploded around me.
Flash.
Flash.
Flash.
Hundreds of reporters were already waiting. They didn't care how exhausted I looked or how ruined my makeup had become.
They all shouted over one another. It was only natural. They had waited long enough to hear the verdict.
"Lady Ashbourne! Do you accept the Church's ruling?"
"Do you admit you were negligent as a mother?"
"Will House Vermont appeal the decision?"
Lucien immediately began clearing a path through the crowd. Elanor deliberately answered questions that had nothing to do with the hearing, buying me enough time to escape.
My parents, as always, remained calm. They simply smiled without saying a word. I was about to stay silent as well. But I needed room to fight back.
