Chapter 1
The heavy silence that followed her words cut through the grand foyer like a sharpened blade. Julian stood on the bottom step, his charcoal grey suit stiffening as the weight of her declaration settled into his mind.
Above them on the marble landing, Margaret clutched her burgundy patterned dress in stunned, helpless disbelief. "What kind of game are you playing, Elena?" Julian snarled, taking a threatening step down toward her.
Elena didn't flinch; she simply tilted her head, her dark hair cascading gracefully over the emerald green satin slip dress. A cold, knowing smile lingered on her lips as she tapped the handle of her rose gold suitcase.
May you like
"This isn't a game, Julian; it's a formal eviction," she replied with absolute, terrifying calm.
Behind them in the background hallway, the framed US flag hung in silent witness to the sudden shift of absolute power.
