"Why did she do that?" Catherine asked again.
There was no anger left in her voice now. No sharp edges. Only exhaustion.
She felt hollowed out. Drained.
This was not a jealous debutante or a scheming noblewoman. It was a woman she had admired… respected… loved in her own way. She had truly believed she would one day call her Mother.
Why would that woman destroy her so thoroughly?
Maximilian swallowed.
"My mother…" He shut his eyes briefly, steadying himself. "She listened to people who said we weren't compatible. That we didn't even like each other."
Catherine blinked. "What?"
"In everyone else's eyes, we were always arguing. Always challenging each other. We never acted… affectionate." His voice turned rough. "No one knew what was in our hearts."
A wry sound escaped her.
So that was it?
