Amelia POV

“Cousin? “ she scoffed. “She wished.”

The words pierced through.

I stood up slowly, pushing my chair back as every eye in the room settled on me.

The insult still rang in my ears, but I refused to let it root itself in my chest.

I lifted my chin anyway, forcing calm into my posture.

“Hey,” I said, extending a hand to her. “I’m Amelia.”

The blonde girl across the table didn’t even

bother standing.

She looked me over from head to toe like I was ...