Isabel felt Maria's rough hand grab hers. She turned to look at her stepmother and saw the fear and worry etched in her face. She squeezed Maria's hand and then gently pulled away.
"Don't worry," she said quietly. "It's fine."
She turned back to face the Hanovers and saw Melanie gazing at her in shock and confusion. "Is that what this is about?" she asked. "What on Earth did that bitter old woman say to you to get inside your head like this?"
"That bitter old woman is my mother," Isabel said.
"Stepmother," Melanie sneered.
"She may not be my mother by blood, but she raised me," Isabel said, turning to nod at Maria.
"We raised you," Melanie said. "And we are your blood. Your uncle is your real mother's brother—don't let that woman make you forget where you
