Michael had been charming then.
Gentle.
Almost shy when we were away from his family.
He told me I made him feel human.
He told me he was tired of being a Sterling before he was a man.
He told me that marrying me was the first real decision he had ever made for himself.
I believed him.
His mother never did.
Victoria Sterling was beautiful in the way expensive knives are beautiful.
Every hair in place.
Every word chosen.
Every smile sharpened before it reached her lips.
She did not yell.
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