“Hmm, now is not the time for that, Leah,” my stepmother hissed. Still putting on her fake smile for Xavier's parents.

My sharp eyes went to her, and I could only bit on my lips, staying quiet. After all, I could not afford to anger her. Not when my mother’s life laid in her hands.

Her stern gaze fixed on me, as she wrapped her hands around me. Her sharp nails dug into my skin.

“Let’s leave things at that, children. You have all the time to show your concern for each other when you get married,” my stepmother said, ending with a laugh too loud it was obvious that...