chapter1177

After that... well, everyone knew what happened. She got sick. The mistress brought her daughter right into the house. And Krista was left all alone in that abandoned courtyard, just waiting to die.

Looking back, Krista realized it felt like she'd stumbled into a huge trap the second she met Erik. The chill in her bones was impossible to shake. Her heart had been numb for years now. She'd stopped hoping for anything from Erik a long time ago. All that was left was hate.

But she never expected Erik to be even worse than she thought. He was heartless, cruel in ways she couldn't have imagined.

Please, miss, save me. I want revenge. If you help me, I'll do anything you ask! Her voice trembled with desperation.

Lydia sat beside her, gentle but firm. "Don't worry, I can heal you. Once we get the poison out of your body and you start taking care of yourself, you'll get stronger with time. She paused. "But for now, you can't let them find out. We can't risk alerting them."

Krista nodded hard. "Okay. I'll do whatever you say."

She hesitated, then asked, "Why are you helping me? What do you need from me? It wasn't that she doubted Lydia's kindness. She just worried she wouldn't be able to

help.

Lydia smiled, just a hint. "Don't worry about it. Only you can help me with this. Once you're feeling better, I'll tell you everything."

Krista nodded again, relief flickering in her eyes. "Alright."

To keep the housekeeper from getting suspicious, Lydia and Juna just helped toss the wet bedding onto the floor and let Krista sleep on the bare mattress for the night.

It was uncomfortable, but better than the freezing floor. Autumn was settling in and the nights were getting colder.

Lydia left Krista with a little medicine to help her recover. Since this trip

had

last minute, she hadn't

been so lather She'd need brought much within one

to return home to create an antidote for the specific poison in Krista's system. Next time, she'd bring it along.

As they left the old Bland estate, Juna couldn't help but sigh. "Marriage is seriously scary. Like e one bad guy can ruin your entire life. No wonder so many girls don't want to get married now. They're the smart ones."

She glanced at Lydia. "But Connor isn't like that. He's definitely one of the good ones."

Lincoln piped up, sounding offended. "Hey, I'm a good guy too, okay?"

Juna rolled her eyes. "Sure, Lincoln. You're friend material at best. If a girl dated you, she'd regret it. You're a total flirt."

Lincoln shot her a look. "Whatever. It's not like I'm interested in you either. You're so annoying. Whoever marries you is doomed."

Juna huffed. "Good thing you're not the one marrying me." Actually, she did have someone she liked, but, after everything she'd seen, she was scared to fall in love. When they got back to the Capital, the three of them went their separate ways.

Lydia didn't get home to the

Norwood mansion until nearly one in the morning. To her surprise, Lucinda was still up. The moment Lydia walked in, Lucinda jumped off the fiving room couch, rubbing her eyes like shed been dozing. Finally, you're back. I've been waiting forever."

Lydia raised an eyebrow. Waiting for me? Why?"

Lucinda let out a little sigh. You left the party so early. You barely ate anything. I

even made you some food when I got back, but you still weren't home. I almost fell asleep waiting for you. Where did you go so late?"