Chapter 40: Family Ties

Evie Stanton

"Go on, my darling. Give us a spin!" My mother encouraged with excitement that didn't reach her eyes. She was as empty as I was.

If I cared, I wonder when it happened. Who broke her and when.

I stood there on the platform while a seamstress pinned a white gown around my hips. The cream lace flared at the waist in a ballgown silhouette. It felt too large. Too heavy.

The corset pinched my ribs.

I nodded, lifting the skirt and swishing it to please my mother.

"Now smile! Robert will love it," my mother added.

Gulping down a hard lump, I couldn't even force a smile. I fought the urge to take the seamstress's scissors and tear them across the lace. I wanted Robert to hate it. I wanted him to take one look at me and feel just as disgusted as I did.

But I refrained. My mother would call me hysterical and lock me in my room like she had the first week I was back. Handmaidens and guards stayed in the room with eyes all over me while I bathed.

No sign of M