The sickened luna’s last chance

Sophia & Ella

Sophia

D

C

B

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Sophia stepped into Alex’s study just as some brunette maid came rushing out, practically bowling her over in her haste to escape. The girl’s face was flushed, and her little bosom was heaving.

“Careful there,” Sophia said, but the maid was already halfway down the hall and didn’t even bother to apologize.

How rude.

Sophia smoothed down her dress and entered the study, where Alexander was standing by his desk looking somewhat bewildered. She’d come here to make amends–their last few conversations hadn’t exactly gone well, and she was tired of being on the outs with him.

“Alex,” she said, holding up a small wrapped box, “I brought you something. A peace offering.”

He looked up, and she could see the weariness in his green eyes. “Sophia. What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to apologize for the other night. I know I was… difficult.” She set the box on his desk. “It’s that expensive whiskey you like. The one from overseas.”

Alex glanced at the gift but didn’t reach for it. “That’s thoughtful of you.”

“What was all that about?” Sophia asked, nodding toward the door. “Your maid looked like she’d seen a

ghost.”

Alex ran a hand through his red hair, and for a moment, something that might have been amusement

flickered across his face. “I think she might have a crush on me,” he said, sinking into his chair.”

The words stabbed Sophia directly in the heart. “What?”

“She asked me some very personal questions about my marriage. Whether I was happy, that sort of thing.”

Alex shook his head. “Very inappropriate for staff.”

“Indeed.” Sophia forced herself to smile even though she felt a storm of rage building beneath her skin. Another woman was interested in Alex? Another threat to deal with? “How… awkward for you.”

“Yeah.” Alex finally picked up the whiskey. “Thank you for this. It was unnecessary, but I appreciate the

gesture.”

“Of course.” Sophia took a step back. “Well, I should let you get back to your work.”

It didn’t take Sophia long to find her. The girl was on her hands and knees in the main foyer, scrubbing the

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Chapter 67

marble flood.

she was gorgeous. Even in a plain maid’s uniform with her hair tied back, she had the kind of beauty

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be Sophia’s younger sister, if Sophia had been

This was a problem.

drive a wedge between Alex and Ella. She’d destroyed that hideous old locket at the charity auction, spread rumors about their marriage, physically assaulted Ella, had done everything she could think of

anything, Alex

questions about his love life. A woman who was young and grateful and probably eager to please Alex in ways

would be.

pretty girl like this living in

let

the maid was scrubbing, noting how the girl’s uniform stretched across her perfect ass as she worked. The

Too bad.

next to a large potted plant that sat on a marble pedestal beside

back and kicked the pot as hard

Dirt and ceramic shards scattered across the marble, along with the

maid looked

“Oops,” Sophia said.

Ella

kitchen, kneading bread dough. She looked

standing there in my nightgown with my robe open

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Chapter 67

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dear. You’ll make yourself even sicker

sinking into one of the chairs at

dry but tasty little biscuits for dipping out of nowhere, but I took it gratefully.

tighten all over again. I’d been trying not to think

pieces scattered across the floor came

only thing I had of hers,” I said quietly. “The only

and pulled me into her arms, and I let her. I buried my face in her shoulder and

got to meet her,” I sobbed. “She died when I was just

left. The only thing

hair, making soothing sounds. “It’s

my chest ached and my eyes burned. Lilith just held me, not trying to offer empty

be okay. She just let

stopped, I pulled back and wiped my face with my sleeve. “I’m sorry.

mess.”