Linnea's pride was completely shattered by the words of her former colleagues.
Her eyes grew vacant, and the color drained visibly from her face.
She stood frozen for a long moment, as if she had lost her senses, until Mara spoke up beside her.
"Linnea, what is wrong with you?"
Only then did Linnea snap back to reality. She turned to Hayden and argued desperately, "My mother and yours have always called each other sisters. She has been entirely devoted to your family and has given so much of her time and effort over the years. Even if we are not related by blood, I am still your cousin in all but name. To deny that connection is nothing but cold and ungrateful."
Her words grew more unreasonable and defiant as she spoke. Refusing to accept the truth, she began to make a scene and argue
