The Whitmores cared most about their reputation and their interests. Over the years, the Collins family had used the prospect of an arranged marriage to help manage the Whitmores' public life, from banquets and social connections to charity guest lists and dealings with relatives.
Vanessa wasn't clever, but she had one strength. She had a good memory. She remembered who'd said what, who'd given which gifts, and who'd met whom in private.
In my previous life, I'd always thought she was useless. Now I realized she'd simply never been forced to be useful.
I told her not to rush into ending the engagement. She went back to the Whitmores as usual and had coffee with Evelyn as usual. When Evelyn asked about me, Vanessa started crying.
"I can't do anything right since Claire left. She said sh
