Love's Ashes, Empire's Dawn

For ten years, my step-brother Mark was my anchor, my confidant, my entire world. Tonight, at a candlelit dinner, I was finally going to tell him I was in love with him.

But just as I started to confess, he raised a glass to a beautiful stranger at the door. "Everyone," he announced with a joy that stabbed me in the heart, "meet my fiancée."

The next morning, my step-father stripped me of the Aura project-my life's work-and gave it to her as a strategic gift for their new alliance.

Mark, my supposed protector, told me not to be sentimental. It was "just business."