Later, the servant escorted Brandon and his wife to the door.

Mrs. Caldwell wore an expression of sheer displeasure.

When she’d been younger, Yvonne had never measured up to her in any way. And yet here they were, years later—time circling back to slap her in the face, forcing her to come begging at the door of that wretched woman.

Brandon, for his part, tried to smooth things over with pleasantries.

Mrs. Caldwell sneered, her voice ...