Positive Influence

Kira thought of Liam and the twisted mind games he liked to play. She was grateful to Charlotte, who must have been the positive influence in Austyn’s life to make him turn out this way. Austyn squeezed her hand. ‘I’m fine now. The past can’t hurt me.’ Kira nodded. ‘Was that when he poisoned your mother?’ ‘Yes, but I didn’t know it at that time. Henry kept both me and my mother locked up inside Cedarwood Mansion. She agreed to tear up the divorce papers if Henry would allow me to continue going to school. He agreed. I went to boarding school and seldom returned to the house.’ Austyn clenched his jaw. ‘I thought my mother’s ill health was because of her unhappy marriage. It wasn’t until after I graduated from the military academy that I learned the truth.’ Kira slammed a hand against the headboard. ‘Ow!’ ‘What are you doing?’ Austyn held her hand to check on her injury. ‘What did you do that for?’ Kira said nothing, embarrassed. She was feeling indignant and wanted to hit something as a