Chapter 44

Jim gave her a long look. "You know...I could ask you the same question," he said, each word dragging slightly. "I know you've both grown up since we last played together, and I'd be stupid to assume you're the same person you were when we were still playing sword fighting with each other. But you used to adore her. Wouldn't let anyone say a single bad thing about her or you would fly off the handle."

Beth stilled. That was true, wasn't it? Her most recent memories were the bitter, painful ones of her past life, years spent in the shadow of betrayal but unable to retaliate against Annalise.

But in this life, in this time, she should still be an adoring elder sister utterly unaware of the truth. That she had hit her head one day and decided not only to spontaneously agree to an engagement she had protested for over a year, but also to start holding Annalise at arm's reach instead of embracing her fully the way she always used to - that must have confused a lot of people.

And Jim...we