Phoenix Mode, Activated: Burn Me Once, Watch Me Rise

elsey sai

Chelsey, her eyes redde

om, please don't let this get to you. Someone like Brett i

seemed to recall something and asked with

replied with open sarcasm, "Why

attention was entirely on Lydia, to the point tha

y. I know this hurts you. But my feelings for Lydia

de during the fire last night,

ed, pain gripped Chels

ew so overwhelming that

last moment has no right to call himself decent. Brett, listen carefully. Even i

etween Brett's brows as

r completely missed

rily demand answers. He even braced himself for

n at twenty. She was proud,

or every possible outcome. But

an onlooker, and her composure

at she had als

ssion stiffened, and the look he gave

en them, Lydia stepped forward an

s never my intention. Last night, Brett stayed beside me the entire time. Even in his sleep, he kept calling my name, and I co

es and refused to ack

iff, and the awkwardness s

ed her lower lip and put on

ure. "Chelsey. The guests have been waiting downstairs for quite some t

e, and her ankle is injured. As her father, have you shown her even a shred of concern since she came home

, she turned away and rai

eeper hurried over.

and has already secured herself another place to live, she should leave now. Our home is far too small t

s, Gretchen had shown Lydia n

fumes to newly released jewelry, anything she believed

Lydia to a suitable partner afte

e whole situation felt bit

acknowledged it and moved toward t

retchen. "Gretchen, haven't you made enough trouble already? Those

nd spoke with firm authority. "Phyllis, take several servants with you