Chapter 1 - THE AUDIENCE ARRIVES
The headlights cut through the light rain outside, splashing gold across the living room walls.
I didn’t move from the leather sofa.
I took a slow sip of the Opus One, letting the rich oak and dark cherry settle on my tongue.
Outside, car doors slammed in rapid succession.
First came Beatrice, rushing toward the front porch with her sister and Julian’s uncle behind her.
They had seen my group text.
They thought it was a celebration.
They thought they were stepping into a night of wealth and prestige.
Beatrice didn't even knock; she used her spare key and burst into the foyer with a bright, performative smile.
“Harper, darling! What is this nonsense about an aquatic performance?”
Her smile froze the moment she saw me.
I was sitting in the dim living room, holding a glass of wine, perfectly composed in my dark silk dress.
The house was quiet, except for the heavy, desperate pounding echoing from the end of the hall.
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“Harper?” Beatrice’s voice dropped, losing its maternal warmth. “What is that noise?”
“That, Beatrice,” I said smoothly, setting my glass down on the marble coffee table, “is the grand finale.”
