Chapter 2: The Locket That Shouldn’t Exist
Victoria’s hands trembled as she held the locket. She didn’t want to open it. Not here. Not in front of everyone. But Alexander was watching her, and so were half the guests. She had no choice.
She pressed the tiny latch.
The locket clicked open.
Inside were two small photos.
On one side was an old picture of Victoria as a teenager, holding a newborn baby in her arms. She looked exhausted but happy. On the other side was a recent photo of the same little girl — Lily — standing next to an older woman.
Victoria’s mother.
Eleanor.
Alive.
Victoria’s face went completely white. The locket slipped from her fingers and fell to the floor with a soft clink. Her hands started shaking violently.
Alexander picked it up and looked at the photos. His eyes widened.
“Victoria…” he said slowly. “Who is this child?”
Victoria couldn’t speak. Her throat felt tight. She looked at Lily, who was still crying quietly, and asked the question she never thought she would have to ask out loud.
“Where did you see her?”
Lily sniffled and pointed toward the back of the room.
“She’s over there,” the little girl whispered. “She told me not to tell anyone… but she said if I wore the locket, you would know it was from her.”
Victoria’s head snapped toward where Lily was pointing.
Standing near the exit, half-hidden behind a pillar, was a woman in a simple black dress. She had silver-streaked hair and familiar eyes.
It was Eleanor.
May you like
Victoria’s mother.
The woman everyone believed had died in a car accident three years ago.
