Back at the Crestmont house, Serena was still burning with anger. She couldn't believe it—her sister, Evangeline, had dared to stand up to her.
These days, something about Eva had changed. Instead of shrinking under the weight of the rumors that surrounded her, she'd begun to stand taller. Stronger. Bolder. And that frightened Serena.
Because if Eva kept going like this—if she truly showed her strength—then Serena's place in the family, her carefully built image, would crumble.
It wasn't fair. Eva was supposed to be the quiet one, the second one, the shadow. The idea of switching places with her—of being the one overlooked—was unbearable.
Fuming, Serena stormed out of the house, her steps sharp and quick until she reached Madam Trevor's lane. There, just past the edge of the fields, she spotted Milo, leaning against a tree and staring absently into the distance.
"Milo!" she called, running toward him.
