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303. I AM ROSSELLA EVERHART
ROSSELLAI watched through the window on the second floor of the family villa, observing how my twin sister practiced over and over to take my place.A bitter laugh curled on my lips, followed by the sharp taste of iron rising up my throat, tearing through me.I pressed the handkerchief to my mouth as a violent cough wracked my body. It felt like all my organs were turning to mush, dying slowly and agonizingly.It was my punishment. I knew it. I was the one who stole her life in the first place.I looked at the delicate handkerchief, now stained with a grotesque splash of blood, my lifeless eyes darkened by the shadow of death. I remembered those days. Now more than ever. And the weight of remorse crushed my soul.«I had arrived for a visit to the lands of the Everhart Duchy. We were country folk—not poor, not rich, just part of a decaying middle class.My father had spent almost all his savings, obsessed with purchasing land for sale in that faraway duchy, claiming it was time to mov
304. MY HUSBAND'S WELCOME
KATHERINEThe fine black boots touched the cobblestones of the inner courtyard.The corset restricted my movements, forcing me to step carefully as I descended, using the coachman’s hand for support.I struggled not to let my gaze wander too much, not to show any awe at the imposing white stone fortress before me.The castle was magnificent, adorned with intricate details and luxury in every corner."Your Grace, welcome."A woman with gray-streaked hair, pulled tightly into a bun, stepped forward to greet me, accompanied by several maids.She was the housekeeper. I had studied everyone here."Mrs. Prescott, have my luggage taken to my room," I ordered coldly, following my words with a few fake coughs as I pulled my heavy cloak tighter around my chest.My voice was huskier than my sister’s. After so many years gagged, speaking only when necessary, it was difficult to make my vocal cords function properly again.So, I pretended to still be recovering from the pulmonary illness Rossella
305. YOU'RE FIRED!
KATHERINEI stood frozen for a moment, unsure of how to respond. A storm of conflicting emotions crashed inside my chest.The overwhelming joy of finally meeting her, the nervousness of getting close, of how she would treat me, of whether I could win back her love after more than ten years… and now…Now, all that remained was the bitterness of seeing my daughter treat me as an enemy, a stranger."I am your mother, Lavinia, and I only want what’s best for you…""I don’t have a mother! You have no right to call yourself that! Get out of my room, leave, leave…!" she started screaming, throwing water at me.A soapy sponge hit me directly on the chest, soaking my dress and skin, splashing my face. I clenched my fists, my whole body trembling. My gaze moved from her tantrum to the so-called "nanny" standing in the corner.She quickly lowered her eyes, but I saw it clearly—the smugness and mockery in them."Leave the bathroom. I won’t say it again," I ordered coldly, taking control.My chest
306. DINNER WITH THE DUKE
KATHERINENight had already fallen. I was drenched in water, covered in the dust from the road, and utterly exhausted—more mentally than physically.I stepped into a small sitting room, adorned with lavish furniture and a tea service table.The décor was exquisite: paintings, heavy drapes, finely crafted hardwood furniture—even the ceiling had intricate detailing.Everything was beautiful, but if you looked closely, certain details stood out—the cobwebs half-hidden in the corners, the dust poorly wiped away.When I opened the bedroom door, the stale, damp smell hit my nose, despite the clean sheets.Whoever was in charge of cleaning this room did everything but clean properly.At least they had left the fireplace burning in the cold room.When I opened the enormous wooden wardrobe, I almost expected bats to come flying out like from a cave.That thing hadn’t taken a single breath of air in all this time.“Well, what a pathetic excuse for a Duchess you were, dear sister,” I murmured wi
307. PIG VS DUKE
KATHERINEI clutched my nose, on the verge of tears from the pain, and looked up to see the “wall” I had crashed into.A man, well over six feet tall, with powerful muscles beneath his white shirt, which had a few buttons undone, revealing his sexy chest.The black tunic with silver embroidery draped over him made him look even more imposing.I looked like a tiny thing at barely five foot three, standing in front of him.His blue eyes locked onto me, so intense that I started feeling nervous, fearing he might suspect something.The scent of his cologne—masculine, with hints of bergamot—stung my nose, dominating my senses.“What are you doing?” he asked in a deep, cold voice, that rough, authoritative undertone unmistakable.I took a step back; we were too close. I needed to be cautious.This man… this man screamed danger from every angle.“Waiting for Your Lordship to dine,” I replied curtly, turning on my heel and returning to my seat.The truth was, I wanted to challenge him, but th
308. MADWOMAN GRADUATED FROM AN INSANE ASYLUM
KATHERINEI stared in disbelief at the woman I had thrown out the night before—who, surprisingly, was now walking out of the inner room as if nothing had happened.“I gave you a very clear order yesterday. What are you doing here?” I asked in a low voice, careful not to make a scene in front of the girl.“The Duke is the one who hired me, and unless he dismisses me, I’m not going anywhere,” she answered with all the audacity in the world.The girl started telling me to stop harassing her nanny, saying she was good, that I should just go back to the countryside—but I didn’t hear a word of it.All I could see was that woman, her eyes filled with confidence and contempt.“Did you tell the Duke that I asked you to leave, or did you spin some lie?”“I told him that the lady dismissed me from her service, and he said I should stay to look after the child…”I didn’t even let her finish. I stormed out of the room like a whirlwind.He could do whatever he wanted with his damned castle. He coul
309. MY WIFE, THE INTELLIGENT ONE
KATHERINE“Duchess, did you need something?” The insufferable butler was the one who opened the door.“I wish to see the Duke,” I replied, my tone bordering on rudeness. His superior attitude irritated me to no end.“You know you must schedule an appointment to see His Lordship. I can arrange one for next week…”“It’s an emergency, and I need to see him now,” I emphasized the now.I could hear the sounds of the Duke inside the room. I didn’t know if he was doing it on purpose, but I could hear papers shuffling on the desk and him reading some document.“The Duke is busy with his morning session. He cannot be distur… Hey, nngh!” he groaned in pain when I drove the heel of my boot deep into his foot.Taking advantage of his momentary distraction, I shoved past him and entered that arrogant bastard’s office.“I apologize for the interruption, Your Lordship, but I must speak with you about an urgent matter,” I said, barely restraining my temper.«I am Rossella, I am Rossella, I am my sist
310. WHO ARE YOU?
KATHERINE“Yes, Your Lordship,” the butler said as he exited, closing the door behind him.Left alone with him, my heart, for some reason, started to race slightly.Even more so when I saw him stand and walk toward the window, where a selection of liquor sat on a small table.“Would you like something to drink?”“No, no, Duke. I came to talk to you about our daughter,” I went straight to the point.“Our daughter?” He turned with his glass in hand, raising a sarcastic eyebrow. “There’s no one else here, Rossella. You don’t have to pretend.”I clenched my fists, sighing. It was true—he had only ever raised a child forced upon him.“Fine, my daughter,” I corrected coldly. “And precisely because she is only mine, I believe I have the right to choose who takes care of her and who doesn’t. I don’t like her nanny. I threw her out of the castle.”“Mrs. Elena has cared for her since she was a baby. Lavinia is very fond of her. You can’t just dismiss an honest woman for no reason…”“Honest? Do
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