levator opene
dence of ownership. The space smelled of lilies and money, the particular perfume of old wealth that had ne
nty, perhaps, his livery impeccable, his face ar
and rose, palm out, as if he might physic
's arm
s flew, skittering across the Persian runner. He stumbled, his balance failing completely. He fell backwa
pped ov
ahogany, heavy, designed to impress. Evel
ct was t
lting, spilling Earl Grey across her Chanel skirt. The liquid was hot-she gasp
rock sc
ghter, and the sound died in her throat as she turned toward the intrusion.
aw Ev
rdrums. Giselle's hand found her throat. Chloe's fingers curled i
lked into
door and the seating arrangement. She didn't hurry. She didn't hesitate. She
ed the so
white silk dress beneath, still stained from the morning's performance. She looked at Giselle. At
in my mother's c
rmor of entitlement. She straightened her spine, lifted her chin, l
ing's spectacle. Dragging our name through the gu
ched for
she was recovering too, finding courage in her mother's presence. "E
ed for the c
on that cost four dollars apiece at Ladurée. She selected one, pink
ped it into t
t. Chloe's face flushed crimson. She surged to her feet, p
ked. "Get out of our
ound Chloe's finger, the extende
she said. "Or I
e Chloe's hand falter. The finger curled, retracted. Chloe took a
sition, using her height, her heels, th
he said. "You have nothing. No money,
hallway where the butler lay, and screa
n lau
n edge of hysteria that made Giselle's hand pause on the telephone
hrew
t, across the floor at Chloe's feet. Dozens of images, printed on gl
ht in the Hamptons. The man behind her was recognizable to anyone who followed financial news-a hed
nt the colo
mouth opened, closed,
le sc
o hide them, to undo the moment of exposure. Her composure shattered, her dignit
ns. She crossed her arms, watching the per
e said, "is ju

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