Ann was the little cousin Tammie had watched grow up. He knew her better than

anyone.

She had always been a kind, sweet, and simple girl. He remembered how, as a child, she'd spend her allowance on food for the stray cats and dogs in the neighborhood. Could a truly malicious person show such love to homeless animals? Tammie refused to believe it.

How could she possibly betray him? He was her family. It was unthinkable.

In his view, Keira was simply trying to stir up fear. She'd always disliked Ann and didn't want to see her happy. Tammie used to think Keira was a magnanimous person, but now he saw a different side of her-one that was less generous and far more selfish than he'd ever imagined.

Still, he couldn't entirely blame her. Keira had been a reasonable woman until Caitlin returned. It didn't take a genius to figure out that Caitlin was the one who had warped her thinking, filling her head with lies about Ann.

Caitlin's provincial upbringing had clearly ruined her. She was supposed to be a Gonzales, but she carried herself with such an uncouth, country manner that was utterly embarrassing. And Keira, in her old age, had become foolishly susceptible, believing every word Caitlin said as if she'd lost the ability to think for herself.

Did blood ties really matter that much? Was Keira so blinded by her biological connection to Caitlin that she couldn't tell right from wrong anymore? That she couldn't distinguish the real gem from the cheap imitation?

Because it was obvious to Tammie that Ann was, and always had been, the true diamond.

Seeing the unshakeable faith in Tammie's eyes, Keira frowned, her voice heavy with concern. "Tammie, don't be naive. Ann is not what she seems. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Her mother, Amanda Gonzales, shattered your uncle's family for personal gain, and we've never learned what happened to your aunt. With that background, how could Ann be good?"

Just as Ann had grown up under Tammie's watch, Tammie had grown up under Keira's. She knew the hardships he had faced and how difficult his path to success had been. She couldn't just stand by and watch him walk into a trap.

Ann was poison. Anyone who got close to her was doomed.

Tammie met

et Keira's gaze, his

expression unyielding. "Grandma Keira, don't you think you're being

incredibly prejudiced? Yes, what get

Amanda did was unforgivable, But Ann is her own person. She should not be judged by her mother's sins. Ann is innocent. The only thing sh ever did wrong was being born to the wrong mother."

If Ann had been Carey Richards's daughter, would things be different? If she had been born a Richards, would Keira have so cruelly cast her out? Of course not. Tammie's disappointment in Keira deepened.

He took a slow breath. "Grandma Keira, I understand why you no longer want to support Ann. After all, you have your own granddaughter now. You may be able to wash your hands of her, but I can't. I'm her cousin." His duty was to stand with her through everything and shoulder her burdens.

"Tammie!" Keira sighed, a sense of helplessness washing over her. "You're going to regret this."

"I will never regret it," he said, his tone resolute. "But you will. You're the one who will regret losing a girl as wonderful as Ann." The world was full of many things, but second chances weren't one of them. "Grandma Keira, I apologize for taking up your time. I'll be leaving now."

"Tammie, wait," Keira said, taking a step forward.

"Is there something else?" he asked, his patience wearing thin. If she weren't his elder, he would have stormed out already. What kind of person throws away a girl they raised for over twenty years?

Keira's expression was grave. "I'm only saying this for your own good, Tammie. I've seen how hard you've worked to get where you are. Please, listen to me. Ann is a curse. If you take her in, you'll bring nothing but trouble upon yourself."

For his own good? The suggestion was so absurd it was almost laughable. If Keira truly cared for him, she wouldn't be trying to stop him from helping Ann.

Tammie turned back to her, his face a mask of weary frustration. "Grandma Keira, I've already said all I need to say. Ann and I may not be related by blood, but our bond is stronger than that of most siblings."

Keira pressed her fingers to her

Ann

temple. "By the time you realize your mistake, will be too late. I just don't want to see you go down that path. Please take a moment and see A for who she truly is." She couldn't; understand why he was so deaf to reason. Did he have to get burned to learn his lesson?

Tammie's patience finally snapped. Keira was overstepping. She was not his biological grandmother. He looked at her, his voice edged with ice. "Grandma Keira, at your age, the most important thing is to take care of your health. You should focus on that instead of meddling in other people's affairs."