The Rejected True Heiress (Liora) novel Chapter 73

“No,” she hummed, “for finally understanding your place. For realizing that not every fairytale ends with the cold, mouthy girl getting the prince. Sometimes she just ends up… alone.”

She leaned against the opposite wall, folding her arms with a hum.

“He was never yours, you know,” she added, almost sweetly. “He just liked the idea of you, something wild and rebellious he could tame. But me?” She touched her chest lightly. “I’m the future. I’m the one who fits.”

“You’re the one who waited,” I snapped. “Waited until the work was done to show up and claim it. That’s not love, that’s strategy.”

She tilted her head. “And you, what, expected applause for being his charity case? You knew the rules, knew what Callum was dealing with, and still thought you’d be the exception. Typical.”

I stared at her, jaw tightening.

“You’re not mad at me,” she said after a beat, stepping in again. “You’re mad that you tried to play martyr and still ended up humiliated. That you rejected him before he could reject you, but it didn’t make it hurt any less.”

“That’s not tru—”

Her voice lowered, dripping like syrup. “And now, here you are. Running around the ballroom in that sad little panic, thinking everyone’s looking at you and whispering—because they are.”

I looked down. My vision blurring at the title floor.

She clicked her tongue. “Seriously, why are you so sweaty?” Her lip curled again. “Ugh. Have some decorum.” Her handkerchief dropping onto my head like a dog. “Honestly, this is just patheic—why don’t you run along, Belrose.”

She started to turn, then paused, her smile curling into something wicked. “Or should I say… Silverthorne.”

My eyes widened.

She let out a puff of air, almost giddy with herself. “Oh, don’t look so shocked, I told you I hear everything as soon as it happens.”

“I don’t know why you’re laughing,” I hissed, taking a step forward. “My name finally being exposed? That’s only trouble for you—”

“It’s actually so funny,” she cut in, flicking her wrist dismissively. “You finally ‘told the truth,’ and still—still—no one believes someone like you could be a Silverthorne. Now that’s hilarious. Because you’re not!”

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