"I absolutely mean it." Ethan turned to face the window, putting physical distance between them. "Don't you think you deserve better than someone who does not want you?"
Her laugh was brittle. "Better than you? There is no better than you, Ethan. That is the point."
"This is not about my status or my family name. This is about us not working together."
"Because of that scholarship nobody?" Alexandra hissed, her composure slipping. "I have seen how you look at her."
Ethan's jaw tightened. "This has nothing to do with anyone else."
"Liar," she spat. "It has everything to do with her. But she is nothing. She will never be anything. She..."
"Enough," Ethan growled. "Lydia has nothing to do with this."
"You said her name," Alexandra's voice was barely a whisper, hurt and
