"You're pretty enough when you make an effort," Victoria continued, each word precisely calibrated to wound, "but there are a thousand women in this city more beautiful, more accomplished, more suitable for someone of his caliber." She tilted her head, assessing Seraphina like a piece of merchandise that didn't quite meet standards. "Your company was failing. You were desperate. You accepted his terms without question because you had no other choice."
*Stop.* Seraphina's hands clenched into fists at her sides, nails biting into palms. *Don't let her see. Don't let her know she's hit the mark.*
But Victoria wasn't finished. She never was when she sensed blood in the water.
