CHAPTER 1 â âThe Paper That Changed the Roomâ
The ballroom didnât notice the shift at first.
Crystal chandeliers still shimmered. Laughter still floated through champagne clusters. A violinist still played soft, elegant notes near the grand staircase.
But at the center of it allâtime had stopped for Victoria Sterling.
Her fingers tightened around the folded document.
The same document Avery had handed her.
Liam noticed first. His posture changed subtly, protective instinct sharpening as he watched his motherâs expression collapse for half a secondâjust long enough to be real.
Victoriaâs eyes scanned the paper again.
Then again.
âNoâŠâ she whispered under her breath, almost soundless.
Avery stood still, holding baby Leo closer to her chest. The infant shifted slightly, unaware he was at the center of something far larger than the celebration around him.
Victoriaâs composure returned like armor snapping back into place.
May you like
But it was cracked now.
And everyone who knew her well enough⊠could see it.
