I looked down at her. A few hours ago, she had been gloating, ordering me to get out. Now she was begging at my feet in a pitiful state.
"I don't know," I said quietly. It was the truth. Every time he ravished me, I could only endure. If I survived, I got lucky. If I didn't, at least I'd have repaid the Winthrops for raising me.
Willa shook her head frantically. "That's impossible. You must know! You're just refusing to save me. You hate me for taking back the engagement."
It was exhausting.
"Willa, you said you wanted it back. I gave it back to you."
She froze, then sobbed even harder. "I didn't know it would be like this. Everyone outside makes it look like you have such a glamorous life. No one told me it would be like this."
Before I could respond, Sterling's voice cut through, l
