Christina opened her mouth but felt utterly drained. "Go beg him? Please… even if I swallowed my pride and got down on my knees, I doubt he'd show me the slightest bit of mercy."

She forced a bitter smile, full of self-mockery.

Aspen looked even more pleased, unable to hide the glee in her eyes. "My dear Christie, watching you regret everything like this… God, it's so satisfying! And honestly? I owe you some thanks. If you hadn't tripped me up so badly in front of Andrew, I wouldn't be where I am today, turning my humiliation into opportunity."

Christina snapped, her composure unraveling. "Have you rubbed it in enough? Feeling powerful enough? Do you really think that someone like you—a servant—can hold any real place in Andrew's life?

"You think you're on the same level as Francesca or Lauren? Let me tell you—Andrew never saw you as one of his own!"

Aspen scoffed. "Of course not. I was his servant. Why would he? But here's what you don't get about that man, Christie. Back wh