Humiliation gave way to calculation.

She approached Silas with an entirely new smile and introduced herself as the devoted stepmother who had encouraged our match.

“You must see why we were protective,” she said.

“Tessa is very impulsive.

We wanted someone steady for her.”

Silas said, “You told people she deserved to be punished.”

She blinked.

“Things were said in a difficult moment.”