Chapter 34

“Mrs. Sinclair?” Anastasia’s voice was calm, almost serene, as she gently reminded her.
Nora forced a smile, her expression tinged with worry. “Anastasia, has someone been saying things to you? You know how I’ve treated you all these years— everyone can see it. How could you think so little of me? I have to admit, I’m hurt.” “No one’s said anything to me.” Anastasia’s smile was faint, almost dismissive. “It’s just that I’m nineteen now. I think it’s about time I took back my shares. If they stay with you, people might start to wonder-wonder if maybe you want to keep what belongs to me.”
Nora gripped her pen so tightly she nearly snapped it in two.
“How can you talk to Mrs. Sinclair like that?” Gabriel barked, anger ringing in his voice. “She’s done nothing but care for you all these years, always putting your needs first. And this is how you repay her? With suspicion?”
Anastasia’s heart twisted with cold amusement.
Care for her? Always thinking of her?
Yes, she thought bitterly. Nora had certainly cared a little too much. If not for all that well-meaning interference, maybe Anastasia’s reputation wouldn’t have become such a joke. Maybe her peers wouldn’t ostracize her, whispering behind her back every time her name was mentioned.
Maybe she wouldn’t be utterly alone, or feel like a stranger—worse, an enemy—to her own family.
She tugged at the corner of her mouth. “I’m not accusing Mrs. Sinclair of anything. But if she refuses to sign, there’ll be plenty of others who start to wonder about her motives.”
At once, every eye in the room settled on Nora’s trembling hand.
Gabriel felt their stares, the shame burning deeper in him than even Nora. He couldn’t bear the thought that anyone might accuse his second wife of coveting the inheritance left by his late wife for their daughter.
“Nora, sign the papers,” he said, his face like thunder. “You took care of those shares for her out of kindness, but not everyone appreciates a good deed. Listen to what she’s saying-how hard-hearted can you be?”
Nora’s grip on the pen tightened until her knuckles turned white. Her smile was strained, her entire being fighting the urge to scream.
After all these years, she had thought of those shares as her own. How could she bear to let them go so easily?
But with Gabriel pressing her in front of everyone, what choice did she have? If she refused now, her reputation would be in ruins.
She seethed inside, certain that the little brat had planned this all along- choosing the worst possible moment to force her hand.
Anastasia could practically read Nora’s thoughts and smiled to herself. Of course Nora was angry-what did she expect? A woman who seduced her best friend’s husband and set her sights on the inheritance wasn’t exactly the picture of innocence.
If she didn’t push, Nora would never let go.
With great reluctance, Nora finally scrawled her name on the documents.
She handed them to Anastasia, barely able to contain her fury, but with an expression of wounded resignation, as if she’d been wronged by the very girl she’d always cared for.
“I would never try to take what’s yours, Anastasia. If you don’t trust me, fine. Take them back.”
As she passed over the papers, it felt like a piece of her soul was being torn away. But on her face, she wore the mask of the loving stepmother-heartbroken to be misunderstood, yet still generous and giving.
Nora had always known how to manage her image. Now, with tears shimmering in her eyes, a wave of sympathy swept through the room. Whispers started-people began to mutter that Anastasia was ungrateful, that she was hounding her stepmother and making wild accusations.
But Anastasia, living this moment for the second time, saw right through Nora’s act. She curved her lips into a gentle smile, her eyes filled with a kind of innocent admiration.
“I know you’d never hurt me, Mrs. Sinclair. All these years, you’ve looked after me yourself—even picking out my dresses for parties, though I don’t always love your choice
She trailed off, her tone light, almost affectionate. “But I could never believe you’d scheme against me. Still, people gossip. So I’ll just take back my shares now-it was always going to happen sooner or later. Isn’t that right, Mrs. Sinclair?”
Nora felt her chest tighten, words caught in her throat. What was she supposed to say? Admit that she’d been scheming, that she wanted to steal from her stepdaughter?
She forced a smile. As long as you still trust me, Anastasia, that’s all that matters.”
In the crowd, the mood shifted again. When Nora looked wounded, Anastasia seemed cruel. But now, with Anastasia’s gentle, trusting words and her casual mention of those party dresses, people started to waver.
“Is this girl for real? Can she really be that naïve? Look at those dresses-why didn’t Mrs. Sinclair’s own daughter wear them? Why not Mrs. Sinclair herself? Unbelievable. She’s either stupid or just too sweet for her own good-letting herself be used and still thanking the person who did it… and still calling her a saint.”