Chapter 27
Thalia trailed behind the paramedics, still dazed from what had happened.
“What on earth happened?” Charlotte came running over with Victoria Darwin.
“I’m not sure,” Thalia shook her head. “Grace asked for a lesson, everything was fine, then suddenly Snow just… and Grace fell. It looks bad.”
Victoria frowned. “That’s odd. Snow had her vet check this morning. Perfect health. Something must have spooked her.”
“Right after Grace insisted only Asher could teach her?” Charlotte’s voice was sharp. “Now suddenly wanting Thalia? She’s been horrid to you from day one.”
“The staff have sedated Snow for examination,” Victoria said gently. “This isn’t your fault, Thalia.”
Something about Grace’s smile before the incident kept nagging at Thalia’s mind. Her instincts told her this was no accident.
But why would Grace do this? Then she remembered Asher’s expression, and it clicked.
The realization hit her: Grace had actually risked herself just to cause trouble between them. On only their second meeting.
She was utterly mad.
In the ambulance, Grace played her part to perfection–pale, tearful, utterly helpless.
“Asher,” she whimpered, “it hurts so much…”
“We’re nearly there,” he said softly. “Let’s see what the doctors say.”
“I was so scared.” Her tears flowed freely. “When I fell–I thought–I’d never see you again.”
She gripped his hand. “I’ve ruined everything, haven’t I? Everyone was having such a lovely time before I… I always make such a mess of things.”
“Don’t be silly.” His eyes softened with concern.
Not his blood sister, but he loved her just the same.
16:14
“Almost there now,” he soothed. “Hold on.”
“It doesn’t hurt as much when you’re here,” she sniffled.
He stroked her hair gently. “Still my little sister, aren’t you?”
At the hospital, the doctors found her injuries weren’t severe–a fractured coccyx, soft tissue damage, a slightly dislocated elbow, and scrapes. No internal injuries, thankfully.
A month’s stay for the stable fracture, they said. After painkillers, Grace finally quieted.
Thalia reached the hospital room just as she heard Grace’s voice.
“Asher,” she was saying plaintively, “I can’t manage with this cast. Won’t you help feed me?”
Thalia hesitated at the door.
“I’ll get a nurse,” Asher said firmly.
“No, please,” Grace’s voice turned sweet. “I want my brother to help. Why won’t you?”
“You’re not a child anymore,” his tone was gentle but firm. “And I’m engaged now–about to marry Lia. We need to be appropriate.”
Thalia’s heart skipped. She hadn’t expected him to refuse Grace for her sake.
Grace’s sweetness vanished instantly. “Appropriate? Between siblings? Is she really that insecure? She causes my accident and you’re worried about her feelings?”
Thalia turned to leave. She wouldn’t stay where she wasn’t wanted.
“Grace.” Asher’s voice held warning. “We’ve talked about this. Thalia will be your sister–in–law. Show some respect.”
A nurse appeared with an IV. “Excuse me.”
They both spotted Thalia at the door.
“What are you doing here?” Grace’s eyes flashed with hatred.
“Lia,” Asher said warmly, almost simultaneously.
The nurse started the IV as Grace glared at Thalia.
16:14
Chapter 27
“Are you suggesting I did this to myself?” Thalia met her gaze steadily.
Grace had expected panic or guilt–not this calm assurance.
She recovered quickly, turning to Asher with fresh tears.
“I know our first meeting wasn’t good,” she said tremulously. “I wanted to make it right today. She’ll be my sister–in–law… I thought we could be closer.”
Her performance was perfect. “That’s why I asked her to teach me.”
“I didn’t know she hated me so much. She kicked Snow when I wasn’t looking–the horse went wild. I was terrified.”
The tears flowed freely now. “I understand if she dislikes me, but why hurt me? What have I done wrong?”
She watched Asher carefully through her tears.
His brow furrowed slightly, but his voice stayed gentle. “Lia, what actually happened at the stables?”
Under her blanket, Grace’s free hand clenched.
“He didn’t believe her.
Why was he so gentle with her? Where was his anger?
The memories fueled her rage. At school, when girls bullied her, he’d had them expelled instantly.
When boys harassed her at sixth form, he’d had them beaten and hospitalized.
At university, when that stalker photographed her, Asher had ensured he’d never hold a camera again.
Now she lay here injured, in casts and on IVs–and his first concern was Thalia’s side of the story?
Pure jealousy consumed her.
Grace wanted nothing more than to leap up and strike Thalia where she stood.
