Speaking of which, Tegan and Ste''s situations bore a striking resemnce to one another.


    Tegan''s life took a tragic turn when she was only five years old. Her father died because of the actions of Uriah''s father, and she was taken in by the Horner family.


    However, her life there was anything but kind. Uriah''s mother had never warmed up to her, and as a result, most of the Horner elders looked down on her as well. The only people who showed her any kindness were Uriah and his father, Hayden Horner.


    As fate would have it, after Hayden passed away, Uriah was the only one who continued to stand by her side. Everyone around them could see the way úriah felt about Tegan - he protected her like she was the most precious thing in his life. Ste, for one, was convinced there was more to his feelings than mere family affection.


    When Ste broached the subject with Tegan, there was a fleeting moment of tension on Tegan''s face. "You mean me and him?"


    Her voice tinged with something that wasn''t quite right.


    Ste nodded. "Yeah."


    Tegan fell silent, her thoughts drifting back to the conversations she''d had with Forrest. It was suffocating, the pressure of it all.


    "His mother is currently searching for a suitable match for him."


    Ste was taken aback. A match?


    "But Uriah doesn''t need a marriage alliance to strengthen the Horner family''s hold, does he?"


    Among the peers, he was already a force to be reckoned with, the Horner Group thriving under his leadership.


    Tegan smiled, a smile where Ste could feel the underlying bitterness.


    Then she went on, "Mrs. Horner came to see me at the hospital this morning."


    "What did she say?" Ste asked.


    "What do you think? She told me to remember my ce."


    It was just the kind of thing a wealthy matron might say, buting from Mrs. Horner to Tegan, it seemed particrly ungrateful.


    Ste''s indignation red. "That''s outrageous."


    Tegan didn''t address any word.


    "If Hayden had died back then, the Horner family wouldn''t havested until Unah took control of the Horner Group. And now she treats


    this?"


    you like


    Looked like there was not just the Larkins who were obtuse. Mrs. Horner, sure was a damned wretch. "What''s Uriah''s stance on all this?"


    Ste assumed that Uriah wouldn''t entertain the idea of marrying someone else, given his apparent feelings for Tegan. He always took her along on business trips if theysted more than a few days


    swn 8


    Tegan handed Ste a menu she''d already marked up. "Forget it, let''s not talk about him anymore."


    The mere mention of the Horner family was enough to put her on edge.


    Ste could sense that there was something more than just Mrs. Horner''s disapproval weighing on Tegan. Despite Mrs. Horner''s distaste for Tegan over those years, Uriah''s over-protection made those two women''s time of connection lesser.


    Just then, Ste''s phone buzzed. It was Ronald calling.


    "Don''t eat too much for lunch. I''ve got something delicious nned for you."


    "What is it?" Ste asked.


    "You''ll see soon enough," Ronald replied, leaving Ste with a smile as she hung up.


    Tegan sighed, "Star, I really envy you. They all love you so much."


    "They" referred to the entire Quinn family members and the Lugars.


    Ste shook her head. "Don''t envy me. There are plenty of people who don''t like me, too."


    Like the Larkin family. Despite their blood ties, their rtionship had been anything but smooth in recent years.


    Tegan rolled her eyes. "There are always people who act likeplete jerks, no matter where you go." "Isn''t that the truth," Ste agreed.


    "Anyhow, at least you have so many people who care about you, look at me..." Tegan said, her voice tinged with a sadness that was hard to miss.