Chapter 38

"Just shut up!" Fraser shot Lydia a disgusted look. "This is a family matter. It's not your place to meddle." His sudden outburst froze Lydia in place for a beat. Her eyes turned red, lips quivered, then she turned around and stormed down the stairs without saying another word. Fraser didn't bother looking at her again. His gaze shifted to Bellamy. "You should go in. Marianne wants to talk to you alone." Bellamy gave a small, indifferent nod. Just as her fingers touched the doorknob, Fraser reached out and stopped her. "Let me go in with you." "If we walk in together, do you think that'll calm her down... or just make things worse?" Her voice was soft but laced with irony. Fraser froze at her words. Bellamy gave a faint smile, gently pulled his hand off, and pushed the door open. On the bed lay a woman whose beauty once turned heads everywhere she went. Now her face was dull and lifeless, looking as if she'd aged ten years overnight. Bellamy stepped closer. Marianne barely glanced her