Chapter 1
The heavy silence inside the luxurious living room was punctuated only by the shallow, trembling breaths of fifty-five-year-old Margaret.
Her grey hair was neatly tied back, contrasting sharply against the dark navy blue uniform with its crisp light blue trim.
Thirty-year-old Victoria stood tall in her crimson red halter-neck dress, her long black hair framing a face suddenly drained of all color.
The framed US flag hanging subtly on the background wall seemed to cast a solemn, judging shadow over the sudden confrontation.
Thirty-year-old Julian stood frozen in his charcoal black suit and crisp white shirt, his dark eyes locked onto the old black-and-white photograph.
Margaret's weathered hand held out the fading image with deep, restrained grief, her gaze unwavering as she stared straight into Julian's bewildered face.
"Look at the necklace," Margaret repeated, her voice steady and piercing enough to slice through the oppressive tension of the room.
"That baby was you," she whispered, the profound weight of her words hanging heavily in the polished air.
May you like
Victoria's manicured hands began to shake uncontrollably against the fabric of her crimson gown as panic set in.
"She is lying... she's a senile old servant who stole trinkets from the attic!" Victoria shrieked, stepping forward in desperate denial.
