He strode toward Effie.


    Effie heard the steady footsteps and instantly thought of Lyman. When she turned around, there he was-Lyman, impossibly handsome, his presence overwhelming as always. She couldn''t help but fall for him all over again.


    Lyman caught her looking at him, her gaze unwavering, eyes shining like stars caught beneath the surface of water-bright, mesmerizing, impossible to resist. His heart fluttered at the sight.


    Without hesitation, he closed the distance and stopped by her side.


    Effie greeted him with a radiant smile, one so warm it seemed to chase away every shadow in Lyman''s heart. "What are you doing out here? Weren''t you talking with Grandma?"


    Effie had noticed that her grandmother and Lyman seemed to have something to discuss, so she''d intentionally stepped outside to give them a little privacy.


    Remembering what Grandma had said to Effie, Lyman chuckled. "She sent me out to keep youpany. Said there''s nothing left to talk about with a clueless kid like me."


    Effie shot him a look and nudged him yfully. "Nonsense. Grandma would never say that."


    Lymanughed, slipping his arms around her. "Then what would she say?"


    Effie''s answer was certain. "With her personality, she''d never say something like that."


    Not everyone understood Grandma the way Effie did. Grandma had always been there for her, ever since she was a child.


    She was the very image of an old-worlddy-elegant, impably raised thanks to a privileged upbringing. Even when her family fell on hard times, she nevershed out at Grandpa. She faced life''s hardships with dignity and strength, never losing herposure.


    How could a woman like that ever say something so careless?


    Lyman and Effieughed together as they walked off, lost in their own world.


    From the shadows, Mitchell stepped out, watching their retreating figures. His eyes darkened, sharp as steel, as if he wished he could pierce them both with a look.


    How could this be? Effie had only just broken up with him-how could she and Lyman be so close already?


    Suzan watched Mitchell''s expression twist with anger, a sly smile curling on her lips. That was exactly the reaction she''d hoped for.


    She''d known Mitchell would lose his temper when he saw Effie with Lyman. That''s why she''d called him over-she wanted him to give up on Effie, once and for all. Only when Mitchell let Effie gopletely could Suzan truly have him to herself.


    "Mitchell, how could my sister fall for someone else so fast? Did she ever really love you? Or was she with Mr. Etheridge all along "


    "What did you just say?"


    Mitchell suddenly turned, pinning Suzan with a bloodshot, furious re-like a wounded animal, dangerous and wild.


    Suzan was startled, the words dying in her throat. "Mitchell... I—”


    "Shut up!"


    Like a man possessed, Mitchell lunged at her, wrapping one hand around her neck and lifting her nearly off the ground.


    Suzan had never seen this side of him. Fear rooted her to the spot, unable to even struggle.


    Mitchell''s voice was ice-cold. "Shut your mouth. Whatever happens between me and Effie is none of your business."


    "Mitchell, what are you doing?"


    Mrs. Lloyd-Adeline-came running, frantic. It took all her pleading to get Mitchell to release Suzan.


    Suzan copsed to the floor, legs trembling so badly she couldn''t stand. Shended hard, coughing violently, lungs burning fromck of air.


    For a moment, she''d truly thought she''d die-her chest felt like it might explode.


    "Mitchell, do you even realize what you just did?!" Adeline snapped, her voice shaking with anger.