CHAPTER 1: THE BOX
“Why is the maid’s child touching family things?”
The words cut through the grand hall like glass shattering.
Isabella tightened her grip and yanked the old keepsake box from the little girl’s hands. The child stumbled back, her small fingers still reaching for it, eyes wide with fear.
“It’s not yours,” Isabella snapped coldly.
The room fell silent.
But the girl didn’t cry.
Instead, she whispered, “My mommy said… it belongs to me.”
A ripple of awkward laughter spread among the guests.
Isabella smirked and opened the box.
Inside—
A faded photograph.
A hospital bracelet.
And a letter.
May you like
Her smile faded.
Because the name on the bracelet was hers.
