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Not waiting for his confirmation, she strode toward the rear of the house.

Anger bristled under her skin, poking her like thousands of tiny needles. When she entered her brother’s domain, she could barely look at him.

“How dare you bring that asshole into my house?” Bruce ground out through clenched teeth as soon as he closed the study door behind them.

“Your house?” She crossed her arms.

“You were right when you told Scott that I chose to leave. Chose. Because this is our home, Bruce. I can bring whoever I want here, and you have no say. I don’t need to ask your permission.”

“I would’ve never thought you were a traitor,” he snarled. “Mom and Dad wouldn’t recognize you right now.”

She absorbed the power of that blow and fought not to stagger from it. But the pain ebbed and flowed inside her.

Stand tall. He can’t hurt you. Inhaling a deep breath, she pushed past it.

“You’re such a hypocrite,” she said, surprised at her even tone. “So righteous and high-and-mighty. And to think I defe