I DO NOT TRUST YOU

Chapter 40

The setting was indeed romantic, and for a moment, I felt a pang of jealousy towards a love story that had begun in such a beautiful place. I found myself imagining Alexander proposing to me once more in such a beautiful place. We moved towards the gazebo, and as we sat, I felt a sudden shift in the atmosphere. Her icy demeanor seemed to harden further, if that was even possible.

"Emma," she began, her voice cold and hard. "I want you to understand something. I despise you."

I felt a jolt of shock, but before I could respond, she continued. "I will never accept you as a part of this family. No matter what you do, no matter how hard you try, you will always be an outsider to me. A mere low class girl that is undeserving of my family's high class status."

Her words stung, but I refused to let her see that. "May I ask why, ma'am?" I asked, meeting her gaze squarely.

"You think I do not know?" she spat, her eyes gleaming with anger. "You think I don't