Chapter 1
The cold marble floor of the Boston cathedral felt like ice beneath Clara’s trembling knees.
A collective gasp echoed across the high vaulted ceiling as two hundred high-society guests froze in total, terrifying shock.
Father William Vance stood paralyzed beside the cracked white coffin, his hands still gripping Clara’s shoulders as the silver shovel lay motionless on the floor.
"What did you just say?" William whispered, his stern face draining of all color as the heavy silence of the church pressed down upon them.
Clara looked up into the powerful man's eyes, her own eyes brimming with tears, yet her posture remained steadfast and unyielding.
"He is breathing, Mr. Vance," Clara rasped out, her voice barely above a whisper yet cutting through the silent room like a razor blade.
"They bribed the county coroner to drug him into a comatose state before sealing the lid three hours ago."
From the front pew, William’s younger brother, Julian Vance, stood up abruptly, his expensive Italian suit rustling in the quiet air.
"This woman is insane!" Julian shouted, his voice echoing frantically off the stained-glass windows.
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"She’s a grieving maid who lost her mind! Security, drag her out of this sacred building immediately!"
Two bulky security guards in dark suits rushed down the center aisle toward the altar, their leather shoes squeaking against the polished floor.
