Gavin was completely dazed.

He stared in shock at the woman he thought he knew—now crying uncontrollably, her face twisted in anger. Selena was nothing like the soft, gentle person he'd known. Her face was smeared with tears and smeared makeup, her usual warmth nowhere in sight.

He'd never seen Selena like this.

To him, she had always been calm, poised, and kind. She'd been his steady, kind-hearted wife, always supportive.

He looked at her in disbelief. "Selena… did you ever love me?"

Selena's sobs paused, and she looked up at him. For a moment, her expression was one of surprise, but then it turned to scorn. "Really, Gavin? At a time like this, with everything going on, that's what you want to know?"

But Gavin's gaze stayed firm. "Yes, I want to know. Did you ever love me? Or was it just because I'm a Cobb?"

Selena laughed bitterly. "What do you think? Did you imagine I was drawn to your charm? Or your money? Or maybe your talent? If you weren't a Cobb, Gavin, why on earth would I have been interested?"

Gavin staggered, taking a step back as if the words themselves had pushed him.

was young, I dreamed of coming back to the Horton family and being seen as a real Horton. But my father? Sure, he spoiled me with some gifts and attention, but he'd never give me a proper status in the

be better than me? Just because he's a

voice broke as she buried her face in her hands. "So I swore that I'd show them, make them see my worth. I was going to make the Horton family beg to accept me back! You know how proud my father was when I told him I was dating someone from the Cobb family? Said he'd make sure I married back in as a 'Cobb daughter.' But then…" She shot a glare at Lewis. "Then Uncle Lewis had to come

to stay out of outside affairs, that your 'brother' wouldn't approve! What are you, Gavin?

the Cobb family likes to stay out of outside affairs, that your 'brother' wouldn't approve! What are you, Gavin? A grown man or some boy still taking orders from his

mouth to explain, but his words

coming to Gavin's defense. "That's how the Cobb family operates. If you'd used Gavin's influence, he'd

apart? Give me a break," Selena spat, looking more

Gavin even further. He'd

him? The higher you are, the more you have to shoulder the responsibility that comes with it. I've never taken advantage of my father's power for personal gain. Why

what good are any of you to me? Gavin was never useful

clenched his jaw. "Selena, I never realized that's what

looked at him bitterly. "How could you know? You grew up in comfort, never doubting who you are, protected by the family name. No one ever looked down on you. You couldn't possibly understand what it feels like to be scorned, belittled, left out of

sharp laugh, bitterness still strong in her voice. "I've fought all my life for a place at that table, resented people all my life, and

fear. The doctors said if I told you,

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