Chapter 1: The Tear in the Lace
“Your son belongs to me now.””
I said it with a smile.
That was the part people would remember later—the smile.
Not the way my fingers had tightened around Evelyn Carter’s wrist. Not the way she stumbled through the reception lounge doors in her lavender dress. Not the tiny red mark my nails had left on her skin.
The smile.
It was the smile that made everyone believe I was innocent.
The wedding reception was only minutes away from beginning when I pulled Evelyn into the private lounge beside the security desk. Music drifted through the open ballroom doors behind us, soft piano notes mixing with the clink of champagne glasses.
The room smelled like roses, expensive perfume, and buttercream frosting.
Evelyn looked at me as if she didn't recognize the woman standing in front of her.
She probably didn't.
For the last eight months, I'd been sweetness itself.
“Vanessa,” she said quietly, “why are you doing this?””
I released her wrist.
She took two quick steps backward.
I tilted my head.
“Doing what?””
Her eyes flicked toward the open doorway.
Security staff were working twenty feet away. A wall-mounted camera sat above them, its little green light blinking.
Evelyn noticed it.
So did I.
But unlike her, I knew exactly what that camera would become.
Evidence.
Just not the kind she thought.
“I asked you to leave my dressing room alone,” I said.
“I wasn't in your dressing room.””
“You went through my things.””
“I brought you the pearl earrings your grandmother gave you.””
“They weren't a gift from my grandmother.””
Evelyn's brows drew together.
“They were in the box you gave Marcus.””
“And now they're gone.””
“I gave them to Marcus because you asked me to keep them safe.””
I laughed softly.
“You always have an explanation.””
“Vanessa, please.””
Her voice cracked.
That almost made me feel sorry for her.
Almost.
I stepped closer.
“You've spent months trying to make me feel like I don't belong in this family.””
“That isn't true.””
“You told Marcus I was moving too fast.””
“I told him to be careful.””
“You told him I was after his money.””
“I asked him to sign a prenup.””
“You told him I wasn't good enough.””
Evelyn stared at me.
“I said I didn't know you well enough.””
“That sounds like the same thing.””
“No,” she whispered.
“It doesn't.””
I could hear the wedding coordinator laughing somewhere beyond the doorway.
People were happy.
People were taking photographs.
People were preparing to celebrate me.
And Evelyn was standing in front of me looking frightened.
I loved that.
Because fear made people believable.
I reached out and smoothed one of the lace flowers on my sleeve.
“You know what your problem is?”” I asked.
Evelyn swallowed.
“What?””
“You still think Marcus is your little boy.””
“He is my son.””
I smiled again.
“Not anymore.””
Evelyn's face changed.
I leaned toward her.
“Your son belongs to me now.””
She stared at me.
For a second, neither of us moved.
Then Evelyn whispered, “Marriage doesn't give you ownership of somebody.””
I straightened.
“No?””
“No.””
“You should tell Marcus that.””
“I have.””
My smile disappeared.
“What did you say?””
“I told him that loving you doesn't mean abandoning everyone who loved him first.””
Something hot moved through my chest.
I stepped forward.
Evelyn stepped back.
“Be careful,” I said.
“Of what?””
“Of making me regret inviting you.””
She shook her head slowly.
“I didn't come here to fight with you.””
“Then why did you come?””
“To watch my son get married.””
“You've made it very clear you don't approve.””
“I came anyway.””
Her voice was stronger now.
That irritated me.
“You're going to smile in the ballroom,” I said.
“You're going to congratulate us. You're going to stop making Marcus feel guilty for choosing his wife.””
Evelyn's eyes filled with tears.
“I want Marcus to be happy.””
“He is happy.””
“Then why are you so angry?””
I froze.
That was a good question.
Too good.
I glanced toward the camera.
The green light blinked.
Once.
Twice.
My pulse steadied.
I knew what I had to do.
I turned back to Evelyn.
“You know what?”” I said.
“What?””
“I think you've been waiting for a reason to hurt me.””
Evelyn's mouth fell open.
“No.””
“Yes.””
“Vanessa, I would never—”
I stepped toward her.
She lifted both hands instinctively.
Empty.
Open.
Harmless.
And I smiled.
Because now everything was exactly where I wanted it.
I looked at the lace covering my left arm.
Then at Evelyn.
Then at the open ballroom doorway.
“Let's give them a reason to believe you.””
Her expression changed.
“What does that mean?””
I grabbed the lace at my sleeve.
And pulled.
The fabric ripped with a sharp, unmistakable sound.
Evelyn screamed.
I screamed louder.
“Marcus!””
Footsteps sounded somewhere outside.
I tore the lace again.
“Marcus!””
Evelyn backed away from me, horrified.
“Vanessa, stop!””
I threw myself toward the doorway.
“Marcus! Your mother attacked me!””
The room exploded into motion.
May you like
And Evelyn suddenly understood exactly what I had done.
But it was already too late.