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.

I 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

down her face. "Why should Jake be better than

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 back and take over the Horton Group, and suddenly my father didn't think the Cobb family was such a big

meet my parents, and you said 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

Gavin, seething. "I asked you to come home with me once—just once—to meet my parents, and you said the Cobb family likes to stay out of outside affairs, that your 'brother' wouldn't

mouth to explain, but his

the Cobb family operates. If you'd used Gavin's influence, he'd have been kicked out of the family. The

Give me a break," Selena spat,

Gavin even further.

about? If my father intervened in anyone's business here, who could stop him? The higher you are, the more you

was never useful to me! How could there ever be love when he

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

She 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,

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 look at what it got me. Cancer. If you'd

want you to go through that fear. The doctors said if I told you, it might… shorten

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