Ivy could endure all the pain by herself, but she could not bring herself to terms with Aurum's kindness. There might have been a future between them, but it felt impossible given what had happened. She fantasized that perhaps Aurum's regretful gaze stemmed from his belief that she was no longer pure.

Ivy took a deep breath. "I don't blame you or Gale. I only hate the person behind all this manipulation, and even more... Paul!"

Paul was clearly sober, yet he claimed she had seduced him, unable