Catherine stared at Pearl in confusion, "Did Sean ever promise you this?"
"It was understood between us," Pearl said. "At least until you came along."
"Pearl I—" Catherine began.
"Shut up," Pearl said, her eyes flashing. "Suddenly, out of nowhere, Sean announced he was getting married. I was curious about the bride—I thought she'd have to be impressive to make him change his mind. I imagined she was a princess, maybe or the heir to a massive fortune. Or at the very least, I thought she must be a great beauty.
"So imagine my surprise when I saw you for the first time," Pearl spat. "You're a child from a broken family. You have neither brains nor talent nor any real beauty. The only thing you have in your youth."
"You're mad, Pearl," Catherine said. "Why don't you just choose another man?"
"I'm not mad," Pearl shrieked. "I'm in love. Sean was made for me, and I want him."
"If he was made for you, why did he choose me?" she asked.
