Clara grew more and more agitated as she spoke, her voice nearly choking with sobs.
“I hear you all say, again and again, that the whole family dotes on Miss Aria, loves her, tolerates her—but I’ve never once seen it.”
I saw Marielle’s face turn deathly pale in an instant.
She opened her mouth as if to argue, but not a single word came out.
Julian was stunned as well.
He instinctively looked toward me.
But I remained calm.
Clara continued.
“Every time Miss Aria is wronged, when have you ever not blamed her without even bothering to find out the truth?”
“Have you ever truly cared about what she went through?”
“Beating and scolding her at every turn—is that what you call doting on her?”
“Driving her to the brink, making her suffer endless torment—is that your so-called love?”
Her
