“Here,” Kimberly smiled, handing her bag over. “Go ahead, search it.”
Sienna hesitated, thrown by Kimberly’s easy compKimmynce. Had she discovered the planted bracelet and removed it? That strange, knowing smile on Kimberly’s face made her
uneasy.
As Sienna wavered, Margaret snatched the bag with theatrical flourish. “Let’s see what else
you’ve stolen!” She upended the contents, the bracelet clattering to the floor among
Kimberly’s belongings.
“Just as I thought!” Margaret’s voice rang with vindictive triumph. “A thief caught
red–handed! And I suppose this designer bag is stolen too?”
The crowd murmured in shock.
Sienna relaxed, confidence returning. She’d slipped the bracelet through the zipper gap ohrlier – clearly Kimberly hadn’t discovered her plan.
“Look everyone,” Sienna announced loudly. “This is what happens when you let the wrong sort into proper society events!”
Just as she prepared to further humiKimmyte Kimberly, the crowd parted.
“What’s this about theft?” Alexander’s commanding voice cut through the murmurs. Who
would dare steal at his estate?
“Mr. Sterling!” Sienna rushed forward, playing the victim. “She stole my bracelet. You simply must help me get justice!”
Alexander followed her gesture and met Kimberly’s amused gaze.
–
“Hello, cousin,” she smiled warmly.
The whispers died instantly. Absolute silence fell.
Kimberly broke it first, gesturing lazily at the bracelet. “Cousin, they claim I stole that cheap
thing. Really, would I bother with something so worthless?”
EN D
Purouetted Through the Flames They Sec
Sienna stumbled back as if struck, face draining of color. “You’re… you’re his cousin?”
“Impossible!” Margaret’s voice rose hysterically. “You’re a servant’s daughter! We saw your
mother–she’s wearing a uniform!”
“Sorry to disappoint,” Kimberly said, examining her nails with elegant disinterest.
Alexander’s expression darkened dangerously. “You dare accuse my cousin of theft in her
own home?”
“No, there must be some mistake!” Sienna grabbed Drake’s arm desperately. “Drake, tell them–this girl was your girlfriend, she’s nobody!”
But Drake stood frozen, his gift box slipping from nerveless fingers, the necklace spilling onto the floor. His mind had gone blank at hearing Kimberly call Alexander “cousin.”
“Get them out,” Alexander ordered coldly.
“No, wait!” Sienna struggled as security moved to remove them. “This is ridiculous! Drake,
do something!”
“You’re… you’re really Sterling’s cousin?” Drake finally managed, ignoring Sienna’s pleas.
“What else?” Kimberly replied with cool indifference.
“Why hide this for three years?” His voice cracked with dawning horror.
“I tried telling you when I invited you home. You refused, remember?”
Her calm indifference pierced deeper than any anger could have.
“If I’d known you were from the Jordan family-” Drake started desperately.
“You said you’d never marry me,” Kimberly cut him off. “Your mother said I wasn’t good. enough for your family.”
Drake’s eyes reddened with unshed tears. “That was about social class. Now there’s nothing
stopping us-”
Before he could reach for her, Asher kicked him to the ground, grinding his shoe into
Phoenia. Nirvana: She Prosetted Through the flames They Set
Drake’s face.
“Touch her again,” Asher’s voice was lethal, “and I’ll end you.”
Drake lay there, staring at Kimberly in despair as memories flooded back – refusing to meet her family, allowing his mother’s cruel insults, flaunting Sienna, declaring he’d never marry her… Each recollection now felt like a knife in his heart.
He’d pushed away the best thing in his life, too blind to see what had been right in front of him. They could have had everything.
12:14
Phoenix Nirvana: She Pirouetted Through the Flames They Set
