MAXON POV

I continued to look through the book until I found another page with something in it.
Amberly,

Lauren has been a joy to raise, I only wish you could have known her, but I understand why you sent her away. If she had lived at the palace, you would have had to sell her away in marriage. Here she can be free and love whoever she wants. She is moving out today, going to make her own way in the world. I know she loves you Amberly, even if you've haven't seen her since birth. And I hope that someday you'll see her and be as proud of her as I am. Someday she will be free to live with her rightful parents. Someday.

Love Adele

That was the last thing in the book, so I put away, just as mother came in, talking to her secretary. "Okay, thank you Sasha, yes, that would be lovely, okay, yes, see you later. Maxon!" She jumped when she saw me. "Oh Maxon you scared me darling, what can I do for you?" She came over and hugged me, which I gladly returned.

"Mother, two things. First.. well," I wasn't sure how to ask her. "Do I have a sister?" I blurted. She turned pale.

"Wha-whatever made you think that?" She had a sad, faraway look in her eyes. I pointed to the book I had found.

"I looked through that book, I'm sorry." She smiled warmly at me.

"Nonsense Maxon, you have nothing to be sorry for. It's about time you knew anyway." She sighed, "It all started when we found out I was pregnant. Your father and I were so happy. We had just gotten married and were head over heels in love with each other, not that we aren't anymore but, well..." She trailed off, "well anyways, as soon as we could, we went to see if it was a boy or a girl. We were very happy to be having a girl, and decided to call her Laurelie once she was born. A few weeks later, I overheard you father talking to his advisors, he said he had corresponded to the King of Spain, and that when Laurelie and the Spanish prince, Calliston, were of age, they would be married, solidifying out ties with Spain. I knew there would have to be an arranged marriage for her, but hearing it already being planned broke my heart. She would never have a chance to find love. I asked Clarkson about and he said he wished it could be different, but those were times of unrest, what with the rebels starting to appear, and that we couldn't change the heir laws. I asked Adele, and we came up with a plan, along with the doctor. When I had the baby, Clarkson wasn't in the room. I sent her immediately to Adele, under the name Lauren, and told Clarkson I had a miscarriage. I trusted your father completely, but the less people who knew, the better. I haven't seen her since the day she was born."

Mother was crying now, and I hugged her frail body as she sobbed into my shoulder. After she had calmed down, I left. I couldn't bear to tell her that I would be leaving too, and going to a place where I could easily be killed if recognized. The Southern rebel base.

AMERICA POV

It was late at night, long past the time everyone had gone to bed. I was in the rebel commons, thinking of Maxon. I had accepted the fact that he had given up on me, but it had left me brokenhearted. I sobbed as I thought of him marrying Kriss, which he was sure to do now that I was gone. I thought of them holding hands, on the altar, Kriss beautiful in a white dress, Maxon striking in a black tuxedo. I thought of everything Maxon and I had gone through together. All our fights and quarrels. Any hurtful things we said to one another. They had all been forgiven because I loved him and he loved me. Now he was probably with another, maybe they had stayed up all night together like we did once. I imagined him and Kriss sitting on the balcony together, wrapped in blankets. Of him tucking Kriss into bed, and kissing her forehead good night. I cried harder. Suddenly I felt a hand on my back. I whipped my head around to see Lauren, of all people.

"Kylee?" She looked at me questioningly. Somehow in that moment, her face looked almost exactly like Maxon's, but older and more mature. I had to hold back more sobs.

"What?" I asked.

"What's wrong?" She sat down on the arm of the chair I was sitting on. "Don't worry, I'm great at keeping secrets, you can tell me anything." For some reason, I knew I could trust her, I knew she would understand.

"You really want to know?" I sighed. She nodded. "Okay then," I took a deep breath, "for starters, my name isn't Kylee, it's America, America Singer."

She gasped, "Have you been reporting our plans back to the castle?" She looked at me accusingly.

"No, I haven't told them anything. I didn't come here as a spy, well, I guess I sort of did, let me start from the beginning. Maxon and I were in love and about to get married, but the king hates me. He blackmailed me into coming here and changing my identity, he told me that if I didn't, he would hurt Maxon and my family. I love Maxon, I had to come, and my family... well, I couldn't let him hurt them. He said I would have to report to him from time to time, but he hasn't contacted me yet. And I guess Maxon's given up on me, I guess he didn't care about me as much as I thought he did." I started sobbing again.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Kyl- I mean America, the king sent you here? He blackmailed you so you couldn't marry your true love? That's some messed up s*** right there. I always thought love was a load of crap but, geez, I'm so sorry. Can I tell you something?" I looked at her strangely, but nodded. What could she possibly want to tell me?

"My name isn't really Lauren either. I'm Laurelie Schreave, older sister of the crown Prince of Illea."