A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

V

She kicked open the half–closed door, paying no attention whatsoever to the reminders Karen had left before heading out. Or perhaps, it was more accurate to say she never intended to care in the first place.

Ivan had been an accident. The couple hadn’t planned on keeping the baby–by the time they discovered the pregnancy, it was already three months along. Only after much persuasion from the other kids did they finally decide he could stay.

Ileana, of course, had objected. But with the whole family in agreement, she had no choice but to paste on a smile and go along with it, all while grinding her teeth to dust behind closed doors.

Still, she had to admit, when Karen gave birth and it turned out to be a boy, she breathed a quiet sigh of relief. She wasn’t the youngest in the family, but she remained the only girl.

Even so, the newborn managed to steal a good deal of attention that should have been hers. Jealousy gnawed at her, and a deep sense of injustice took root.

She felt nothing but resentment toward her little brother. It didn’t matter that he was fair–skinned and endearingly sweet–Ileana found him utterly unlovable.

The moment Ivan saw someone enter the room, his wailing stopped. He broke into a wide smile, arms reaching out, asking to be held.

“Cry, cry, cry–so annoying!” Ileana didn’t pick him up. Instead, she shoved him, sending him tumbling back onto the crib mattress just as he’d managed to stand.

her aggression for play, he giggled, grabbed the rail, and pulled

he beamed at

a hug once more..

irritating. Why don’t you just cry yourself to death?” Ileanal was growing more

a heartbeat later, he was bawling

driving me crazy.” I ha pinched his arm hard, and the pain only made Ivan’s cries

her feel any better. In fact, she wanted to

13:29

doorbell rang at that

Ignored Ivan’s sobs, and strode out of

for you. Can you

opened the front door, her

“No adults home?”

many questions? You’re just the