Chapter 1: The Cry That Stopped the Ballroom
The ballroom fell into complete silence.
Every guest stared at the little girl.
"Mommy... don't let her hurt you!"
Six-year-old Lily struggled against the elegant woman in the black gown, Victoria Langston, who tightened her grip around the child's arm.
"You don't know what you're saying," Victoria snapped.
Emily Carter, the young maid kneeling on the marble floor, slowly stood despite the red mark burning across her cheek.
Tears filled her eyes.
"I never wanted this to happen," she whispered.
In her trembling hand was a faded photograph.
The picture showed a younger Emily holding a newborn baby wrapped in a pink blanket.
Standing beside her was a smiling man.
His face looked remarkably familiar.
Several guests recognized him immediately.
It was Daniel Langston.
May you like
Victoria's late husband.
The whispers spread through the ballroom.
