Trying to change the family’s fate through her.
But Terri wasn’t cheap. She had no interest in being a replacement, in scheming her way into power as some pathetic mistress.
Yet when Clarissa pressed a shard of glass to her own wrist, Terri gave in.
She understood her place.
Valerie was the one Blayne truly cared about. She had neither the status nor the history to compare.
Even if Valerie openly said she only saw Blayne as a backup plan, even if she never intended to marry him…
Being sent to his bed was still a humiliation.
At worst, she’d just be thrown out.
Terri was used to being humiliated. If it could fulfill her mother’s dream of climbing the social ladder, so be it.
That night, Blayne had been drinking.
He pinned her against the stairwell wall, tearing her clothes, gripping her shoulders, ready to take her.
She had no experience—she broke down crying.
Her tears dripped onto his skin, scalding hot.
Maybe he pitied her. Maybe he just found it troublesome.
Either way, Blayne let go.
In the end, all he did was hold her through the night.
After that, wherever he went, Terri followed.
He was gentle with her. Attentive.