Sylvie had just earned her drone license, and she piloted the thing with effortless skill.

Every swoop and loop she pulled from the sky brought another burst of applause.

Talented, poised, completely self-assured.

No wonder, really.

It was easy to see how Jarrod could fall for her at first sight.

A woman like Sylvie-she had everything it took to turn heads and draw men in.

Elodie had to admit, even from a neutral perspective, that Sylvie was magnetic. She was gentle, confident, and composed-raised with every advantage, smart and ambitious, and beautiful to boot.

Wherever she went, the spotlight followed.

But...

Everything Sylvie had was stolen.

Her mother and Elodie's mother had once been friends. Sylvie's mom had grown up with little, and Elodie's mother had stepped in-paying her college tuition, helping her get into grad school.

But in the end...

Sylvie's mother plagiarized Elodie's mother's work.

it, and climbed the social ladder over Elodie's mother's broken back. After landing herself a wealthy husband abroad, she disappeared-pregnant,

lift a

crept into Elodie's eyes. It was almost

was flawless, and as soon as she left the stage, a swarm of reporters surged forward, desperate for a soundbite from her and

the middle of the crowd, jostled several times as the reporters

her didn't even have the chance to dodge. She stumbled, pain

spark between you two! Are we going to

Elodie looked up.

Sylvie into the crook of his arm, shielding her from the press. His expression was cold, his presence enough to make the

female reporters giggled and exchanged

well! Are

thought she caught Jarrod's gaze flicker her

What did that mean?

her to stay out of

from her ankle, spreading into her stomach. She bit down on her lip

grabbed

meeting Joseph's wary look. "What are you doing? Listen, don't cause a scene.

stared at him, momentarily

rush over and blurt out the

pale, then cold. She jerked her arm from Joseph's grip,

replying-just turned on her heel

stared after

looked down at his hand, still tingling from where she'd pulled away, her skin soft against his

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255