Chapter 13 Bruises And Bad Influences

• Julien’s mother was like the mother I never had. Amelia Reid was kind and her dark eyes were always filled with compassion. She wasn’t vain or cruel like my mother was and she didn’t care about material wealth. Amelia Reid was a welcome distraction. I smiled as I sat across from her, sipping my hot chocolate. She always treated me like her own daughter. I knew she loved me, she’s given me the closest thing to true parental love I will ever experience. She smiled back and set her green mug down on the older oak table. “Marina,” the way she said my name filled me with such warmth, almost as much as when Julien calls me by my nickname. “You’re so beautiful.”
• I blushed shyly. “Thank you, Amelia.”
• She looked deep into my eyes and I see her dark ones gloss over. “Julien... you’re perfect for him... for each other.”