Page 4

Does sending me away bring her joy?

I swing my legs over the edge of my bed and sit up. “You want me to go to Switzerland?”

She huffs, hiking her shoulders, like explaining herself is annoying. “Well, it would be best under the circumstances.”

“Under the circumstances?” I parrot.

She rolls her eyes, which looks scary and comedic, given the rest of her face isn’t moving.

“Saar, don’t you think for a moment that I don’t know what’s going on in this house. You’re clearly unstable.”

She shivers like the word caused her indigestion. Or maybe it’s the idea of a daughter who, instead of attending a fundraiser, cried in her room.

And if she, like my brothers, assumed the broken glass wasn’t an accident, why hasn’t she come to check on me?

Is sending me away from home her way of showing she cares?

I hate the tears that brim around the crevices of my eyes. Van den Lindens don’t show weakness. Perhaps that’s why she’s sending me away.

“Okay.” I swallow. “Do I finish the school year here?”

“Your father thinks it’s best you move now.” She turns on her heels but pauses at my door. “It’s for your own good.”

For my own good.

Her placating parting words shouldn’t make me feel better, but they do. Even though I know Melody van den Linden is only concerned about her reputation, somehow, I cling to those words, telling myself she cares about me.

And somehow, on the long flight to Switzerland, I make myself believe they sent me away for a better education, and I vow to never cry.

Not because of a backstabbing friend. Not for a boy who probably has no idea he hurt me. Not because I’m alone.

Somehow, I blend into a routine similar to the one I had back home. Somehow, it’s easier to be this new, confident person around people who don’t know me.

Somehow, I become the popular girl because my brothers come to visit me, and their brief presence on the campus draws all the girls into my orbit.

I ignore the fact they want me for my hot siblings. I don’t want to get too close to them anyway.

But somehow, their friendly pretense helps me rebuild my confidence. Funny how people’s attention, even under false motivation, can make you feel invincible.

Enough to finally call the modeling scout.

Chapter 1

Corm

“What else do I have today?” I throw my jacket on the bed and start undressing.

My assistant sighs and turns around. He’s been complaining about the lack of boundaries. He hasn’t been complaining about the paycheck. And since I sign the paycheck, I set the boundaries.

Sometimes, I just enjoy messing with him. It’s not like I need to take a shower in the middle of the day.

“Saar van den Linden is coming,” he says.

I pause. Maybe I need the shower after all. “What does she need again?”

He flips through his notebook. “She didn’t want to say, but you agreed to meet her, regardless.”

It’s obvious he doesn’t remember why she is coming, or he forgot to ask, but after spending my morning and early afternoon on conference calls, her visit might be fun.