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“Edward Van Buren has had so his wife hit hie empire”

My hand curled into a fist at my stomach as I blinked at her Mason’s mom is dead?

I hadn’t known that

Which wasn’t surprising, really We weren’t exactly having long, involved conversations

Jacqueline waved a hand, as if growing bored with this topic “They’re all being raised to take over their faacy, and they’ll continue theirs through that bloodline” Then she sighed, her voice softening “It’s a great thing, to be able to pass dohat you’ve worked so hard to build and to knoill continue even after you’re gone”

She cleared her throat, and for the first time all afternoon, I saw real eer across her cheek, turning to face the ocean again I got the distinct feeling she’d wiped away a tear, and pity swelled in my chest No matter what had happened to drive thehter Maybe Jacqueline had cared about her, had missed her when she left She just hid it better than most

“So, they’re all just waiting around to become rich?” I asked after a moment of silence

“More rich,” she offered with an arched brow “The legacies they have waiting for theive them wealth, power, and vast opportunities If Charlotte were still here, she would have been given the same”

She didn’t mention it, but I could hear her unspoken words Now that my mom wasn’t here any all the good and bad that came with it

I leaned back inwhat she’d just told me

Jesus No wonder the Princes are so controlling and cruel already They’ll probably be a thousand tiraduate

I wanted to push her for more information, but if I asked any more questions, it would make , ive her any reason to circle back to that topic

We made lame conversation about safe subjects like the weather and the architecture of the house, then ate dinner in silence

By the time I left on Sunday, I’d learnedrelatives in the world

Chapter 10