My mother bit her lip, her tone turning defensive even now.

“Noelle, don’t exaggerate.

Just because you married a wealthy, powerful man doesn’t make you superior to the rest of your family!” And I offered her a faint, almost pitying smile, because even cornered by total exposure, she needed so badly to find a way to place me beneath her.

“You’re right about one thing, Colleen,” I said.

She sat up, regaining a flicker of confidence.

“Of course I am.” “Marrying Rafael did not make me powerful.”